Meta glasses banned in UK courts, sparking privacy warning for City firms
A ban on Meta’s AI‑enabled glasses in England’s courts has triggered a wave of caution across the financial district.
Meta’s AI‑powered smart glasses are now prohibited from all His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service sites in England and Wales, officials confirmed earlier this week. The decision extends an existing ban on filming inside courtrooms and follows a similar move by pub chain Wetherspoon, which barred the devices from more than 800 venues.
Why the ban matters
The restriction comes amid growing concerns that the wearable could capture and transmit sensitive footage without consent. Earlier in the year the Information Commissioner’s Office intervened after reports that contractors in Kenya had accessed intimate video recorded by users of the glasses. With over seven million AI glasses sold last year by EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray‑Ban, the technology is rapidly entering public spaces.
Employment lawyers say the ban is a warning sign. Oliver Milton, a solicitor at TWM, explained the stakes for businesses.
Employers are going to have to think carefully about the use of smart glasses in the workplace, especially as sensitive or embarrassing material can be uploaded to social media almost instantly.
He added that misuse could lead to disciplinary action, up to dismissal, and that the devices might be considered a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 for some employees.
Implications for City employers
Legal experts urge firms to audit their workplace policies now, rather than waiting for a breach. The rapid evolution of wearables mirrors the tightening of compliance rules around digital communication, making proactive governance essential.
Recent data‑privacy cases, such as the Soho House breach, illustrate how quickly regulators can act when personal information is mishandled.
What comes next
Meta has opened a £12 million audio research lab in Cambridge to improve sound capabilities of its AR glasses, signalling a continued push into the market despite the court ban. Industry observers expect further guidance from regulators, and possibly more venue‑specific restrictions, as the line between convenience and privacy blurs.
For now, City firms are advised to review employee handbooks, train staff on the legal limits of recording, and monitor any future policy changes from HMCTS or other public bodies.
