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Caught by the Judge

Tech Scandal in Court: Smart Glasses Alter Trial Proceedings

A judge discovered technical assistance being used by witnesses in court.
A judge discovered technical assistance being used by witnesses in court. Photo: Getty Images
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March 28, 2026, 1:15 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Technology can make everyday life easier, but in certain situations, its use is problematic. This is demonstrated by a case from the United Kingdom. There, a man allegedly used smart glasses during a hearing at the High Court in London to receive outside assistance.

According to a report by the “BBC,” the court deemed this behavior an improper interference with the proceedings. This had significant consequences for the case.

Dispute Over Company Rights in Focus

At its core, the case was about a conflict over company ownership. The man appeared in court alongside a Lithuanian company. Both sought to be recognized as the rightful owners of a company. Additionally, they wanted a change in the company register. Reinstating the man as the company’s director was also part of their demands. His testimony played a central role, as it could influence several key points of the case.

Unusual Behavior Noticed

During the questioning, the judge noticed irregularities. The man often took unusually long to respond to questions. These delays did not seem like normal pauses for thought. Additionally, there were repeated background noises. These suggested a connection to another device. Based on these indications, the judge eventually asked the witness to remove his glasses.

Connection to Smartphone Discovered

After removal, it became clear that the glasses were smart glasses. They were connected to a smartphone and could transmit audio. Shortly thereafter, a voice was heard from the man’s phone. The court then examined the device more closely. Among other things, call logs and metadata were checked. The analysis showed that a call had been made shortly before the testimony began. Apparently, there was a connection to the glasses.

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Contradictory Statements from the Witness

Initially, the man claimed the caller was a taxi driver. Later, he changed his statement. According to “Legal Futures,” the voice heard could have been from ChatGPT. However, the judge found this account not credible. She got the impression that the connection was deliberately maintained to receive help during the testimony.

Also of interest: This app warns against smart glasses with cameras

Doubts About Credibility

Due to the circumstances, the judge doubted the reliability of the statements. The man’s behavior significantly undermined trust. Therefore, his statements were not considered in the decision. His testimony no longer had a decisive influence on the outcome of the case.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.

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