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Judge Scolds Meta Team for Wearing AI Glasses in Court
Zuckerberg's team ordered to remove recording devices during high-profile social media trial
Published on Feb. 25, 2026
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A California judge admonished members of Mark Zuckerberg's team for wearing Ray Ban-Meta AI glasses, which are equipped with a camera, as they entered a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday for a landmark trial over the impact of social media on children. The judge ordered the Meta team to remove the glasses, noting that any use of facial recognition technology to identify the jurors was banned.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between emerging technologies, like AI-powered smart glasses, and the legal system's need to protect privacy and the integrity of court proceedings. It also underscores the heightened scrutiny Meta and other social media companies face as they are increasingly sued over the potential harms of their platforms.
The details
The judge upbraided the Meta team and said if they had recorded anything, they would have to dispose of it or face contempt of court charges. It's unclear if Zuckerberg's team had the glasses on inside the courtroom or how long they were wearing them. Meta's glasses, which retail for between $299 and $799, are equipped with a camera that can take photos and record video.
- On Wednesday, February 19, 2026, the incident occurred in a Los Angeles courtroom.
The players
Mark Zuckerberg
The co-founder and former CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), who was in court to testify as part of a trial over whether Meta and YouTube deliberately designed their social media platforms to encourage compulsive usage by young people.
Carolyn Kuhl
The judge presiding over the trial, who ordered anyone in the courtroom wearing AI glasses to immediately remove them, noting that any use of facial recognition technology to identify the jurors was banned.
Jacob Ward
A technology journalist and the host of the Rip Current Podcast, who called the incident "an extraordinary misstep" by Meta.
What they’re saying
“The judge upbraided the Meta team and said if you guys have recorded anything, you have to dispose of it or I will hold you in contempt.”
— Jacob Ward, Technology journalist and host of the Rip Current Podcast (CBS News)
“This is very serious.”
— Judge Carolyn Kuhl (CBS News)
What’s next
The court did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment, and it is unclear if Meta will face any further consequences for the incident.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing emerging technologies, like AI-powered smart glasses, with the legal system's need to protect privacy and the integrity of court proceedings. It also underscores the heightened scrutiny that social media companies like Meta face as they are increasingly sued over the potential harms of their platforms.
