US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has instructed employees not to use Meta’s camera-equipped smart glasses while on duty, citing concerns that the devices could inadvertently record or transmit sensitive information.
According to a memo circulated among ICE staff and reported by The New York Times, the restriction applies across the agency and is aimed at preventing potential privacy and legal risks associated with wearable cameras. The Department of Homeland Security said the guidance may reinforce an existing rule prohibiting employees from using personally owned body-worn cameras while performing official duties.
The move comes after US immigration and border personnel were repeatedly seen wearing Meta smart glasses while carrying out their work. Reports have documented sightings involving Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol personnel in several states, including during immigration operations.
The issue has also raised questions about the potential use of smart glasses in law enforcement. Budget documents reportedly indicate that ICE is seeking funding for specialised smart glasses with biometric identification capabilities, potentially for deployment as early as next year. The documents do not confirm that the technology will ultimately be adopted.
Privacy concerns remain central because the glasses can record video while appearing similar to ordinary eyewear. Meta uses an external LED to indicate when the camera is recording, although researchers have demonstrated ways of obscuring the indicator.
The development highlights the tension between the growing use of wearable AI technology in the workplace and concerns around privacy, surveillance and the handling of sensitive information. For now, ICE employees have been told to keep personally-owned smart glasses out of official duties.
