Meta Employees Threatened with Contempt for Wearing Recording Glasses in Courtroom

Judge Kuhl warned Zuckerberg's entourage to delete any recordings or face contempt charges during high-profile social media addiction trial.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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During Mark Zuckerberg's testimony in a landmark trial over social media addiction, members of his entourage were threatened with contempt of court for wearing Meta's AI-powered glasses that have recording capabilities, which are prohibited in the courtroom. Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl warned the employees to delete any recordings or face consequences, calling the incident a 'very serious' product placement stunt. The trial centers on allegations that social media companies deliberately designed their platforms to hook young users, with the outcome potentially impacting thousands of similar lawsuits.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between technology companies and the legal system, as new AI-powered devices push the boundaries of what is allowed in sensitive environments like courtrooms. The trial itself is a high-stakes case that could set important precedents around social media addiction and corporate responsibility, making any disruptions or perceived stunts a serious matter.

The details

Judge Kuhl threatened to hold Meta executive assistant Andrea Besmehn and another unidentified man in contempt of court for wearing the recording glasses as they entered the Los Angeles courthouse. The judge ordered them to delete any footage, warning 'This is very serious.' The trial centers on a 20-year-old plaintiff, identified as 'Kaley,' who alleges she developed mental health issues from social media addiction. TikTok and Snap previously settled with the plaintiff before the trial began, while Meta and YouTube are still defending themselves against the claims that their platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive, especially for young users.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 20, 2026 during Mark Zuckerberg's testimony.

The players

Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl

The presiding judge in the landmark social media addiction trial against Meta and YouTube.

Mark Zuckerberg

The CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook) who was testifying in the trial.

Andrea Besmehn

An executive assistant to Mark Zuckerberg who was wearing the Meta AI-powered recording glasses in the courtroom.

Kaley

The 20-year-old plaintiff who alleges she developed mental health issues from social media addiction.

Meta

The parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms that is being sued in the trial.

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What they’re saying

“If you have done that, you must delete that, or you will be held in contempt of the court. This is very serious.”

— Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl (CNBC)

“I think I'm actually well-known to be very bad at this.”

— Mark Zuckerberg (CNBC)

“You expect a 9-year-old to read all of the fine print. That's your basis for swearing under oath that children under 13 are not allowed?”

— Plaintiff's Lawyer (CNBC)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to hold Zuckerberg's entourage in contempt of court for the recording device incident. The trial is ongoing and the outcome could impact thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between technology companies and the legal system as new AI-powered devices push the boundaries of what is allowed in sensitive environments. It also underscores the high stakes of the landmark trial, which could set important precedents around social media addiction and corporate responsibility.