Police departments across the U.S. have issued internal warnings regarding the use of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses within secure facilities. According to a dozen memos obtained by Property of the People, agencies view the camera-equipped eyewear as a security and counterintelligence risk. Officials fear that covert recordings could expose sensitive information, including cell layouts, camera placements, and officer patrol routines.
The NYPD counterterrorism bureau, in a January memo, instructed officers to inspect all eyewear entering inmate cells. Similar warnings were circulated by the Department of Homeland Security and fusion centers in New York, Maine, Virginia, Tennessee, and San Diego. The Maine center specifically highlighted that AI software integrated into smart glasses could facilitate the doxing of law enforcement personnel.
Federal agencies have begun implementing internal restrictions. In August, Immigration and Customs Enforcement prohibited staff from wearing smart glasses in federal workspaces, classifying them as body-worn cameras that could unintentionally capture or transmit sensitive data. These measures follow reports of unauthorized filming inside detention centers, including a July 2025 incident in South Carolina.
Meta maintains that its glasses are designed to be noticeable, citing a light that blinks during recording. However, the company continues to face scrutiny regarding privacy concerns, including reports of covert filming and potential plans to integrate facial recognition technology. Ryan Shapiro of Property of the People criticized the police response as an attempt to maintain unilateral surveillance.
