Judge Carolyn Kuhl warns against recording with Meta glasses in court during Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony

Meta glass

• Judge warns against recording Zuckerberg testimony with Meta Glasses
• Violators face contempt charges if caught recording in courtroom
• Lawsuit alleges Meta platforms are addictive for kids and teens

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A judge presiding over a high-profile lawsuit involving Meta’s social media platforms sharply cautioned courtroom attendees against using Meta’s smart glasses to record proceedings while Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was testifying.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl said that if anyone used the recording feature on Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta Glasses inside the courtroom, they would face contempt charges. “If you have done that, you must delete that, or you will be held in contempt of the court,” Kuhl said during the session on Wednesday.

Zuckerberg was on the stand in a lawsuit alleging that Meta platforms like Instagram and Facebook are designed in ways that can be addictive to children and teens. The legal battle has drawn intense public and media scrutiny, with testimony from Zuckerberg and other executives expected to continue for weeks.

The warning came after personnel seen escorting Zuckerberg into the courtroom were photographed wearing Ray-Ban Meta Glasses — eyewear capable of capturing photos and videos. Courtroom rules in California strictly prohibit photography and recording without prior authorization, and violations can lead to sanctions, removal from the courtroom or contempt proceedings.

Ray-Ban Meta Glasses are designed to indicate recording with a blinking LED light. However, there have been reports that modifications can disable or obscure this indicator, raising concerns about covert recording.

Meta has denied the allegations in the lawsuit, which was filed by a 20-year-old woman claiming that her use of social media as a child led to technology addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts.

During Zuckerberg’s testimony, attorneys pressed him on Meta’s age-verification systems and the company’s efforts to protect younger users. Zuckerberg reiterated that Meta prohibits users under the age of 13 on its platforms and acknowledged challenges in accurately identifying underage accounts. “I always wish that we could have gotten there sooner,” he said in court, referring to improvements in child safety measures.

The outcome of the trial could have wide-ranging implications for similar lawsuits across the United States concerning the impact of social media on young users and platform accountability.