Wetherspoons bars smart glasses from filming customers

Wetherspoons, a popular chain of British pubs, has decided against outright banning Meta-style smart glasses that feature built-in cameras. Instead, the company has advised customers to disable the cameras and refrain from filming. The decision is rooted in concerns over privacy and surreptitious surveillance. Wetherspoons, like many other hospitality businesses, already employs CCTV cameras for security purposes, but the use of these cameras is tightly regulated by data protection laws.

The company's stance aligns with other venues and events that have implemented bans on recording glasses due to privacy concerns. DEF CON, a well-known hacker conference, recently joined this movement by banning the use of Meta-style glasses. This ban extends to individuals who need prescription lenses for their glasses, as the recording capabilities of these devices can infringe on personal privacy.