Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reminded its employees that personal smart glasses capable of recording audio or video, such as Meta Glasses, are prohibited from use while on duty. The agency stated that this is not a new policy but a reiteration of existing rules regarding personally owned body-worn cameras and unauthorized recording.
David Venturella, ICE's acting director, reportedly issued a memo on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, emphasizing that devices like Meta Glasses could inadvertently capture or transmit sensitive information, potentially compromising privacy and legal protections. An ICE spokesperson confirmed that the agency occasionally reminds employees of established policies and prioritizes privacy and operational security.
ICE policy explicitly bans employees from using personal body-worn cameras in the workplace. The agency declined to specify what prompted this particular reminder or if there has been an increase in agents bringing such devices to work. Meta has not commented on the story.
The prohibition on smart glasses with recording capabilities has gained traction in various public and private settings. DEF CON, the annual hacker conference, instructed attendees to leave any glasses equipped with recording features at home for its August event. Several restaurants, pubs, and private clubs, including Soho House and the UK pub chain Wetherspoons, have also banned or strongly discouraged patrons from wearing these devices due to privacy concerns.
Wetherspoons previously stated that their general code prohibits filming customers or employees without permission, a standard they believe Meta Glasses breach by enabling surreptitious surveillance. Some National Basketball Association arenas have also reportedly asked fans to refrain from wearing recording-capable glasses during games.
In March, the UK's privacy watchdog initiated an investigation into Meta's smart glasses following reports that human contractors reviewing recordings from these devices were exposed to highly private moments captured by users.
