tech
Restaurants, pubs and theatres ban Meta’s ‘spy glasses’ over privacy fears
Meta says safeguards are in place to prevent surreptitious filming, but some UK venues now prohibit them from being worn at all
TL;DR
- UK venues like restaurants, pubs, and theatres are banning Meta's new recording glasses.
- Concerns about customer and staff privacy are the primary reasons for the bans.
- Restaurateur Jeremy King and Soho House are among those prohibiting the glasses.
- Wetherspoons CEO Tim Martin stated the glasses breach codes of conduct and common sense by enabling surreptitious surveillance.
- ATG Theatres will ask wearers to remove the glasses during shows.
- Meta highlights a blinking LED light as a privacy safeguard, but instances of non-consensual filming have occurred.
- Instagram has taken down non-consensual videos made with the glasses.
- Meta has distributed free pairs to influencers and seen sales triple, with over 7 million sold worldwide.
- Some, like chef Tom Kerridge, see potential creative and exciting uses for the glasses and do not have a problem with them.