‘Turn the cameras off:’ London’s growing privacy pushback against smart glasses
London/New York — The bars, theaters and restaurants dotting central London may not seem like a conflict zone. But many venue owners are facing a difficult fight over a new and, some say, potentially dangerous device: smart glasses. The glasses — which can capture video, photos and audio from the wearer’s perspective — are growing in … The post ‘Turn the cameras off:’ London’s growing privacy…
London's smart glasses backlash: venues restrict and ban devices
The growing popularity of smart glasses, which can capture video, photos and audio without the wearer's knowledge, is causing a stir in central London. Eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, which partners with Meta on its glasses, reported selling seven million pairs of AI glasses in 2025. Meta is set to unveil new smart glasses without cameras at its Connect conference this week, according to The Information. Samsung and Google are also expected to debut new smart glasses this fall.
However, the rise of these devices has sparked concerns about privacy and consent. Videos on social media have shown men filming women without their knowledge, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing privacy laws. Irina Raicu, director of the internet ethics program at Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, told CNN that the concept of consent is becoming increasingly difficult to uphold in the age of smart glasses.
Some London venues have responded to these concerns by implementing restrictions or bans on smart glasses. Hospitality and entertainment venues have introduced measures to protect patrons' privacy, and anti-smart glasses advertisements have appeared at bus stations throughout the city. One advertisement transforms Kylie Jenner's Meta glasses ad campaign into a skeletal X-Ray, questioning the idea that "We're Always Watching."
The UK-wide ban on smart glasses in courtrooms, which came into effect in August, reflects the broader sentiment against these devices. Many Londoners feel uneasy using smart glasses in places where privacy is expected, such as bars, restaurants, and other social settings. Popular pub chain Wetherspoons has prohibited customers from using smart glasses while in its establishments.
Zak, a student at a Wetherspoons pub in central London, told CNN that he doesn't want to be filmed while having a couple of pints. He has seen videos on TikTok in which people appear unaware they are being filmed and finds covering the glasses' recording light "ridiculous." Serena, another Wetherspoons customer, is particularly worried about being filmed without knowing where the footage might end up.
Wetherspoons spokesperson explained that their approach to banning smart glasses was to "turn the cameras off." Meta claims its glasses won't record when the recording light is covered, but the company has also updated its glasses to prevent users from covering the light after discovering they could be recorded even when the light was tampered with. Additionally, Meta has cracked down on social media videos showing wearers using AI glasses to harass others.
Meta spokesperson stated that some places should not be filmed, and rules should be applied consistently. The company's glasses feature a light that turns on to alert people when a photo or video is taken, a feature that smartphones and other cameras lack.
Written by urgent.news from Egypt Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
