The ban on Meta's smart glasses in court and tribunal buildings in England and Wales might seem like a rather specific technology news story at first glance. However, I believe this development points to a significant problem that legal systems will face much more frequently in the near future.
HM Courts & Tribunals Service has adopted a policy of not allowing these devices, which have camera and audio recording capabilities, into court buildings. The main reasons cited are unauthorized video and audio recording, court security, and the preservation of the integrity of the trial.Recording bans already exist in courts. What's really new is that the technology is becoming increasingly less visible. You can often spot someone pulling out their phone and recording.
However, smart glasses have a camera, microphone, speaker, connectivity features, and AI support all integrated into an ordinary accessory.
Therefore, a more important question arises: Could the person in front of us be communicating in real time with someone outside or with an AI system? In March 2026, the UK High Court, in the case of UAB Business Enterprise v Oneta Limited [2026] EWHC 543 (Ch) , found that a witness wearing smart glasses during cross-examination received real-time external assistance. The court considered this extremely serious in terms of the witness's credibility and the integrity of the trial.
As wearable technologies develop, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine who or what is actually present in the courtroom. If a device on a witness can analyze questions, transmit external information, or assist in generating answers, the issue becomes directly linked to the credibility of evidence and the fairness of the trial.Moreover, this issue will not be limited to courts. Arbitrations, internal investigations, exams, job interviews, negotiations, and confidential meetings will also face similar questions.
Therefore, the practice in England and Wales should not be seen as a simple ban on a specific product.Smart glasses have brought this question to the courtroom today. As AI-powered wearable technologies become more widespread, we will see the same debate in many more areas.