Federal Immigration Agency Prohibits Employees From Using Meta's Camera-Equipped Eyewear

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has issued an internal directive barring its personnel from wearing Meta’s camera-enabled smart glasses while performing official duties. The move places the agency among a expanding list of employers and organizations that have restricted the use of the tech giant’s wearable devices over growing worries about surveillance and consent.

The new rule, which was communicated to staff in recent days, targets the popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which can capture photos and record video with a simple voice command or button press. Agency officials cited the potential for unintentional recording of sensitive information, including witness identities, undercover operations, and personal data, as a primary reason for the ban. The guidance applies to all ICE facilities, field offices, and any location where agents conduct enforcement or investigative work.

This decision reflects a broader trend across both the public and private sectors. Hospitals, courthouses, locker rooms, and several corporate campuses have already moved to limit or eliminate the use of the device, which has been on the market since late 2023. Privacy advocates have repeatedly flagged that the glasses make it nearly impossible for people to know whether they are being recorded, especially in casual or high-security settings.

Meta has defended the product, noting that a

Meta has defended the product, noting that a small LED light activates when recording begins, and that users must actively engage with the device to capture content. However, critics argue that the indicator is easy to miss, and that the glasses normalize covert filming in everyday interactions. Some lawmakers have also called for federal legislation to mandate clearer recording indicators across all wearable tech.

ICE’s internal ban is not the first within the U.S. government. The Department of Defense and several intelligence agencies have previously restricted the use of similar recording devices in classified or controlled areas. The new policy aligns with those existing security protocols, signaling that federal bodies are taking a cautious approach to rapidly evolving consumer technology.

A spokesperson for ICE declined to comment on the specifics of the internal memo but confirmed that the agency routinely reviews its policies to protect operational security and employee safety. Meanwhile, Meta has not issued a public response regarding the ICE ban, though the company has stated in the past that it respects individual organizations’ rights to set their own workplace rules.

As smart glasses become more advanced and affordable

As smart glasses become more advanced and affordable, the question of where they can be used will likely intensify. For now, the message from ICE is clear: in sensitive government work, discretion and privacy still outrank convenience.