Meta Team Scolded for Wearing Ray-Ban Glasses in Court During Zuckerberg Testimony

Judge admonished Meta employees for wearing recording devices in the courtroom during the high-profile trial.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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During the Los Angeles trial where Meta and YouTube executives are being sued for allegedly making their products more addictive to children, a Meta team attending the proceedings showed up wearing Ray-Ban smart glasses that can record video. The judge in the case, Carolyn Kuhl, scolded the Meta team, saying if they had recorded anything, they would have to dispose of it or face contempt of court charges. The judge further prohibited anyone in the courtroom from using any AI-powered glasses or facial recognition technology to identify jurors, calling it a "very serious" matter.

Why it matters

The incident with the Ray-Ban glasses highlights the ongoing tensions between tech companies like Meta and the legal system, as the trial examines allegations that social media platforms have been designed to be addictive, particularly for young users. The judge's strong reaction underscores the court's efforts to maintain control of the proceedings and protect the privacy of those involved.

The details

The Meta team attending the trial in support of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's testimony showed up wearing the company's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have video recording capabilities. This was seen as an "extraordinary misstep" by the judge, who admonished the Meta employees and said they would face contempt of court charges if they had recorded anything. The judge also prohibited anyone in the courtroom from using any AI-powered glasses or facial recognition technology to identify jurors.

  • On February 18, 2026, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in the Los Angeles trial.
  • Last week, Meta's head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, also testified in the trial.

The players

Judge Carolyn Kuhl

The judge presiding over the Los Angeles trial where Meta and YouTube executives are being sued for allegedly making their products more addictive to children.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta, who testified in the Los Angeles trial on February 18, 2026.

Adam Mosseri

The head of Instagram, who testified in the Los Angeles trial last week.

Mark Lanier

The plaintiff's attorney in the Los Angeles trial, who extensively questioned Zuckerberg about Meta's age-verification systems and the cosmetic beauty filters available on Instagram.

KGM

A 20-year-old plaintiff in the lawsuit, identified only by her initials, who reportedly suffered mental health impacts from her use of social media starting at a young age.

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What they’re saying

“This is very serious.”

— Judge Carolyn Kuhl, Presiding Judge (CBS News)

“All Mark Zuckerberg accomplished with his testimony today was to prove yet again that he cannot be trusted, especially when it comes to kids' safety.”

— Josh Golin, Executive Director, Fairplay (Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to hold the Meta team in contempt of court if they recorded any footage during the proceedings.

The takeaway

The incident with the Ray-Ban glasses highlights the ongoing tensions between tech companies and the legal system, as courts work to maintain control and privacy in high-profile trials examining allegations of social media addiction and harm to young users.