Smart Glasses Banned in UK Venues Over Privacy Fears

UK venues are increasingly prohibiting Meta's smart glasses, with establishments ranging from high-end London dining rooms to major theatre chains implementing bans. The £359 eyewear, promoted with celebrity endorsements, is facing scrutiny due to its discreet cameras, which owners argue facilitate covert filming and invade guest privacy. This situation presents an awkward challenge for Meta, despite a significant increase in sales over the past year.

Restaurateurs and club owners express concern that the unobtrusive design of the glasses, unlike a visibly pointed phone, allows for surreptitious recording. Venues like Soho House and ATG Theatres have confirmed policies against filming with the devices. Wetherspoons, a large pub chain, has adopted a softer stance, generally prohibiting filming staff or patrons without permission, a rule that smart glasses appear to violate.

The smart glasses have garnered negative attention online, with some users dubbing them 'pervert glasses' following reports of non-consensual filming. Despite Meta's assurance that a blinking LED indicates recording, this defense has not appeased critics or venue operators. Some industry figures, like chef Tom Kerridge, disagree, viewing filming as a modern, creative aspect of life. However, the trend of indoor restrictions is growing, with courtrooms in the US also prohibiting the devices, and competitors like Apple reportedly delaying their own launches to address privacy concerns.