US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has instructed its 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.

The guidance comes as Meta smart glasses have increasingly been spotted among US immigration and border personnel, raising questions about the use of consumer wearable technology during law-enforcement operations.

According to a memo circulated among ICE employees and reported by The New York Times, Meta Glasses and similar wearable devices could potentially capture or transmit sensitive information, creating privacy and legal risks.

ICE Cites Security Risks

The memo reportedly applies across ICE rather than being limited to officers working in the field.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, indicated that the guidance could be a reminder of an existing policy rather than a completely new prohibition. A department spokesperson said employees have long been prohibited from using personally owned body-worn cameras while performing their duties.

The renewed guidance nevertheless comes at a significant time, as camera-equipped smart glasses become more common among immigration and border personnel.

Border Officers Seen Wearing Devices

Reports have documented several instances of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Border Patrol personnel using or wearing Meta smart glasses.

According to earlier reporting by 404 Media, a CBP officer was seen recording with Meta smart glasses despite restrictions. In another instance, a Border Patrol member was photographed wearing the device during an immigration raid.

An investigation by The Independent also reported sightings involving immigration or border personnel in at least six US states.

The incidents have intensified scrutiny over whether consumer smart glasses are being used during official operations and whether existing policies adequately address wearable cameras.

ICE Explores Smart Glasses

At the same time, ICE appears to be examining whether smart-glasses technology could have an official operational role.

Budget documents obtained and reported by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein indicate that ICE is seeking funding for specialised smart glasses equipped with biometric identification capabilities.

The documents reportedly suggest that such devices could potentially be deployed as early as next year. However, the available documents do not establish that the proposed system will ultimately be purchased or deployed.

Such a move would represent a significant shift from employees independently using consumer devices to the government adopting wearable technology specifically designed for law-enforcement purposes.

Privacy Concerns Grow

Camera-equipped eyewear has raised broader privacy concerns because the devices can resemble ordinary glasses, potentially making recording less obvious to people nearby.

Meta has included an external LED indicator intended to signal when the camera is operating. The company says the indicator cannot simply be disabled through software and that preventing the light from functioning also stops the glasses from taking photographs or recording video.

However, researchers and online creators have demonstrated methods of obscuring the indicator, including techniques sometimes referred to as “ghost dots”.

This has prompted questions about whether the indicator provides a sufficiently clear warning to people in crowded public environments.

AI Features Add Concerns

Privacy concerns also extend beyond the camera itself.

Meta’s smart glasses include AI-related features and interactions with Meta services, raising questions about how information captured or processed through the devices could be used.

The company has faced criticism over privacy practices, while reports of potential facial-recognition capabilities have added to concerns about the possible use of smart glasses for surveillance.

Meta has also taken measures against certain forms of misuse. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri has said the platform would remove smart-glasses footage when it is used to harass or exploit people. Meta has also taken action against creators who secretly recorded strangers for prank content.

Government Faces a Balancing Act

For ICE, the issue presents a potential contradiction: the agency is restricting employees from using personally owned consumer smart glasses while simultaneously exploring whether specialised wearable technology could have operational applications.

For now, ICE's message to employees is that personally owned devices such as Meta’s smart glasses should not be used in the workplace.

The debate is likely to continue as law-enforcement agencies examine how wearable cameras, biometric identification and AI-enabled devices can be incorporated into official operations while addressing privacy and surveillance concerns.