Smart glasses bans spread to courts, schools, Punjab province

New York's state courts, Pakistan's Punjab province, Western Australian public schools, and U.S. Marine Corps bases have all banned camera-equipped smart glasses within the past several months, and the roster keeps growing, Engadget reports.

New York barred smart glasses with cameras, microphones, or computers from all 1,240 state and local courts as of July 20, 2026. Disabling the device provides no exemption, prescription-lens models get the same treatment, and wearers must surrender them to court officers. In Los Angeles, during Mark Zuckerberg's February 2026 testimony, Judge Carolyn Kuhl told the room, "If your glasses are recording, you must take them off." Courts in England and Wales now hold the devices at security until visitors leave.

Punjab's 30-day order, which took effect in October 2026, covers smart glasses with hidden recording ability, miniature cameras in pens or keychains, and online sales of all of the above. Authorities cited complaints involving "spying devices being used for illegal surveillance, harassment and blackmail." In Paris, prosecutors opened investigations in September 2026 after reports of women being filmed without consent using smart glasses, with footage posted online.

Schools and test centers have moved in parallel. Western Australia banned the glasses from public schools on October 12, 2026, with exceptions only for medical, accessibility, and educational purposes; Victoria's version takes effect January 27, 2027. SAT test sites cancel scores on violations.

Camp Lejeune and other Marine Corps bases prohibit the devices outright. UK cinemas are rolling out measures citing privacy and piracy concerns. Royal Caribbean bans them in casinos, medical facilities, and youth areas. Australia's Canterbury-Bankstown Council restricted them at leisure and aquatic centers, and Norway's government is weighing temporary restrictions at parks, beaches, shopping centers, and gyms. No country has imposed a complete permanent ban yet.