Smart Glasses in German Courts: No Special Ban Planned

• While courts in New York, England, and Wales have banned smart glasses to prevent secret recordings, German judicial authorities currently have no plans for similar specific prohibitions.
• German officials argue that existing rules against unauthorized audio and film recordings already cover smart glasses, and that judges possess sufficient discretionary power to restrict them under house rules.

Current Status in Germany

• Most German state justice ministries report no incidents of smart glasses being used for recording in courtrooms.
• Some jurisdictions, such as Hamburg, already include smart glasses in general bans on electronic devices, with security staff trained to spot them.
• Officials note that violating privacy through unauthorized recordings is already a criminal offense, punishable by fines or up to three years imprisonment.

Risks and International Context

• Smart glasses, such as the Ray Ban Meta AI model, are visually indistinguishable from standard eyewear, making them effective tools for clandestine recording compared to smartphones.
• The small indicator lights on these devices are easily manipulated or obscured, posing a challenge to courtroom security.
• In England, a witness was ordered to remove smart glasses after a judge suspected the device was being used to receive instructions from an external party via its built-in microphone.