ICE Agents Will Have to Leave Their Meta Glasses at Home

Meta's camera-equipped eyewear just hit a wall at one of the US government's most scrutinized agencies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has formally barred all staff from wearing Meta's smart glasses in the "federal workspace," saying the devices amount to personal body cameras that could inadvertently capture or transmit "sensitive information," reports the New York Times. The move follows criticism of ICE agents seen using the glasses at protests and amid immigration crackdowns, with Engadget and the Independent rounding up some recent examples.

It also comes as New York courts, some businesses, and privacy advocates raise alarms about discreet recording and potential facial recognition, per the Times. ICE, which has no partnership with Meta, is separately seeking $7.5 million to develop its own enforcement-focused smart glasses, including biometric ID features. Meta declined comment. The company has touted the glasses as a key piece of its artificial intelligence strategy.