DEF CON organizers say attendees will not be allowed to wear Meta-style glasses with recording features at the 2026 event in Las Vegas. The restriction was announced ahead of the conference opening next week and targets eyewear that can capture video or other footage.
The move adds to a broader push by event organizers to limit camera-enabled glasses at in-person gatherings. According to the report, the ban applies even when the devices are built into prescription lenses, showing that the focus is on recording capability rather than the style of the frames.
For a conference like DEF CON, where privacy and security are central concerns, wearable cameras can raise obvious worries about unnoticed recording in talks, hallways and social spaces. By singling out smart glasses, organizers appear to be drawing a clearer line around what kinds of always-available recording devices are acceptable on site.
The decision also highlights how quickly smart eyewear is becoming a practical policy issue for conferences and other public events. As more products add discreet cameras to everyday glasses, organizers are increasingly being forced to decide whether those devices fit with their rules on privacy, consent and attendee safety.
