A growing number of venues in the United Kingdom have moved to restrict the use of Meta’s smart glasses, citing privacy risks associated with their discreet recording capabilities.
Wetherspoons, a major UK pub chain with over 800 locations, has announced a ban on customers using the glasses’ recording functions inside its establishments. The company stated that the glasses, which feature a 12 MP ultra-wide camera and open-ear speakers, enable surreptitious surveillance and violate its policy against filming customers or employees without consent. Customers will be required to turn off the cameras to enter Wetherspoons venues.
The move follows broader concerns about the glasses’ potential misuse. Domestic abuse charities have warned that the devices could be exploited by stalkers or abusers, while critics argue the technology normalizes covert recording in public spaces. Meta, the parent company of the glasses, has faced escalating backlash as users report instances of secret videotaping and sharing footage online, including in social settings like gyms and nightclubs.
Meta has previously updated the glasses to address privacy concerns, but the controversy has intensified. The company markets the glasses as a tool for hands-free photography, AI-assisted queries, and phone calls, positioning them as a next-generation wearable. However, the devices have drawn comparisons to “pervert glasses” due to their potential for misuse.
The latest restrictions come as Meta expands the glasses’ availability, including a collaboration with influencer Kylie Jenner, whose branded versions retail between £247 and £379. Despite the backlash, the company has not indicated plans to halt sales or recall existing units.
Technology analysts suggest the controversy could dampen mainstream adoption. Jitesh Ubrani, a director at IDC, noted that high-profile criticism may slow momentum with broader buyers, even if early adopters remain undeterred. Jacob Bourne, a technology analyst at eMarketer, added that the industry is at a sensitive juncture regarding consumer sentiment toward AI-driven hardware.
The debate over smart glasses mirrors wider discussions about privacy in the age of AI. As wearable technology becomes more advanced, regulators and businesses are grappling with how to balance innovation with safeguards against misuse.