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Pub giant J D Wetherspoon, better known as ‘Spoons, has issued a formal ban on customers filming with Meta smart glasses across its network of over 800 venues in the UK.
The move follows growing public and industry apprehension regarding the privacy implications of wearable technology, with the pub chain declaring that the devices facilitate “surreptitious surveillance.”
In a statement addressing the new policy, a Wetherspoon spokesperson clarified that while the company utilizes CCTV for security, such systems are strictly regulated by data protection legislation. In contrast, Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses – which feature integrated cameras, microphones, and AI – operate without such oversight when used by individuals.
“The general code that applies in our pubs is that you can’t film customers or employees without their permission,” the spokesperson said. “Meta glasses seem to breach this code and common sense.”
Under the new guidance, customers wearing the devices will be instructed to turn off the cameras if they wish to enter any Wetherspoon establishment. The company likened the move to its existing efforts to prevent the audible playback of videos, which it views as an intrusion into the personal space and comfort of patrons.
The decision arrives amid a broader debate about the potential for wearable tech to be weaponised for harassment. Privacy advocates, including the charity Refuge, have warned that such devices can be easily misused to stalk, surveil and control others, specifically pointing to the risks faced by women and girls in public spaces. Critics argue that the normalisation of constant, hands-free recording poses a significant threat to personal safety.
Meta has defended the product, emphasising that the glasses are designed for convenience and include built-in safety features, such as an LED indicator that flashes when the device is recording.
The company maintains that it has implemented hardware safeguards, such as disabling the camera if the LED is covered or tampered with, and that it works to remove content on Instagram that involves the harassment of others.
Despite these assurances, Wetherspoons’ preemptive ban highlights a deepening friction between the rapid adoption of AI-powered wearables and traditional expectations of privacy in social environments.
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Chris Price
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