STORY
Meta smart glasses have been banned from courts and tribunals in England and Wales because of concerns that they could be used to make covert recordings. His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service has confirmed that anyone arriving at a court building with the glasses will have them confiscated on entry and returned when they leave.
The glasses can record video while being worn and HMCTS said their use was prohibited because there are clear restrictions on taking images or videos inside courts and tribunals. Smartphones can still be brought into court buildings, although they must not be used to record proceedings. Unauthorised filming in court can amount to contempt of court.
The decision follows concerns about the use of smart glasses in legal proceedings in the UK and overseas. Earlier this year a High Court claimant was accused by a judge of receiving assistance through smart glasses while giving evidence, although he denied that the glasses were connected to his phone or being used to provide answers. HMCTS said it does not hold figures on the number of incidents involving smart glasses in courts.