Mark Zuckerberg’s Team Showed Up to Court Wearing Meta Ray-Bans. The Judge Was Not Amused.

Entrepreneur
by Jonathan Small
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court to defend Instagram against claims that it is designed to addict children. However, the attention quickly shifted to his team after two individuals wearing Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses—equipped with AI and video recording capabilities—accompanied him during the testimony. Judge Carolyn Kuhl issued a warning, emphasizing the seriousness of recording in court without permission. The trial focuses on Instagram's impact on young users, with a 20-year-old plaintiff alleging she became addicted to the platform at age nine. The lawsuit accuses Meta of intentionally designing features like beauty filters and infinite scroll to hook children. This case highlights concerns over social media's effects on youth and raises questions about responsibility in tech design. Meta Ray-Ban glasses have faced criticism for their recording capabilities, with sales surging by more than triple in 2025. Zuckerberg addressed this during a recent earnings call. The trial continues, drawing attention to broader issues of data privacy and user safety, particularly concerning minors on platforms like Instagram. For startups and tech companies, this case underscores the importance of addressing ethical concerns early in product development. It also serves as a reminder that integrating advanced technologies, such as AI in wearables, must be done thoughtfully to avoid legal and public relations challenges. The outcome could set precedents for how social media platforms handle user engagement and data collection.
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Originally published on Entrepreneur on 2/19/2026