Several prominent British venues have implemented bans on Meta’s smart glasses, citing privacy protection as the driving concern. High-profile establishments including upscale London restaurants owned by restaurateur Jeremy King, as well as the exclusive Soho House members’ clubs, have moved to restrict their use on their premises. The pub chain Wetherspoons has also prohibited recording with the devices, with its chief executive noting that the glasses enable covert surveillance in violation of standard protocols that require customer and employee consent before filming.
Theatre operators have similarly taken action. ATG Theatres, which operates multiple venues including the Bristol Hippodrome and Edinburgh Playhouse, has stated that patrons wearing the glasses will be asked to remove them during performances, as filming is prohibited in their spaces. Some venues, however, have taken a different stance. Chef Tom Kerridge, who operates restaurants and pubs in Marlow, expressed openness to the technology, noting that filming has become commonplace and suggesting the glasses could be used creatively.
The bans reflect mounting concerns about the glasses being used to record individuals without their knowledge or permission. Multiple incidents have been reported where people were filmed without consent, with recorded footage subsequently posted on social media platforms. In some cases, individuals have allegedly used such recordings for extortion purposes. The devices, which resemble conventional eyewear and feature embedded cameras, have been heavily promoted by Meta through celebrity endorsements, with sales reaching 7 million units globally.
Meta has incorporated a blinking LED indicator that activates during recording and cannot be disabled, alongside other privacy features built into the devices. The company has also worked with Instagram to remove nonconsensual content posted on its platform. Despite these measures and Meta’s efforts to promote mainstream adoption through influencer partnerships, the privacy concerns have prompted significant restrictions across UK hospitality and entertainment venues.
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