{
  "id": 1746440,
  "title": "UK courts, pubs and even Comic-Con ban smart camera glasses – is it even possible for this tech to salvage its reputation?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/uk-courts-pubs-and-even-comic-con-ban-smart-camera-glasses-is-it-even",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T14:11:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Camera World",
    "slug": "digital-camera-world",
    "url": "https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/tech/uk-courts-pubs-and-even-comic-con-ban-smart-camera-glasses-is-it-even-possible-for-this-tech-to-salvage-its-reputation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In recent times, smart camera glasses such as the Ray-Ban Meta have faced a series of media scandals involving their use to stalk and harass women in places like workplaces and gyms. This has led to the term \"pervert glasses\" becoming increasingly associated with the technology. As a result, these glasses have been banned in various settings across the UK, including courts, pubs like Wetherspoons, and at Comic-Con UK after incidents of unauthorized filming. This has raised the question of whether the technology can recover its image or if it is beyond redemption. For those familiar with technology from the past, the Google Glass launch in 2011 offers a similar cautionary tale, as it was quickly mocked and left a negative impression on the public. While it is true that users of smartphones and regular cameras have also been responsible for harassment and non-consensual photography, camera glasses seem to make this easier. Manufacturers' privacy features are often lacking, with some glasses' privacy lights being unobtrusive and easy to overlook. Furthermore, privacy protocols are not foolproof, as demonstrated by testing with the Rokid AI Glasses Style, which failed to stop recording when the privacy light was obstructed. The issue is not limited to Meta; other smart glasses brands have similarly weak privacy measures. It seems that the 'pervert glasses' moniker is likely to stick unless these manufacturers can prove their commitment to preventing misuse of their products. Despite the challenges, smart glasses manufacturers like Meta, Apple, and Google plan to continue pushing forward with intelligent eyewear in the future.",
  "summary": "The tech behind smart camera glasses is undeniably impressive – but with the ‘pervert glasses’ nickname gaining traction, Meta and co have a severe image problem.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}