{
  "id": 214713,
  "title": "Restaurants, pubs and theatres ban Meta’s ‘spy glasses’ over privacy fears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/restaurants-pubs-and-theatres-ban-metas-spy-glasses-over-privacy-fears",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-06T09:00:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/06/restaurants-pubs-and-theatres-ban-metas-spy-glasses-over-privacy-fears"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UK venues are banning Meta's new \"spy glasses\" due to privacy concerns. Meta launched the sleek glasses, promoted by Kylie Jenner, with the intention of gaining the same widespread acceptance as tablets and smartwatches. However, UK restaurants, pubs, and theatres have decided against allowing customers and employees to wear them. Celebrated restaurateur Jeremy King stated that he would never knowingly allow any invasion of guest privacy. Wetherspoons, a popular pub chain, will not permit people to use the glasses inside to record. ATG Theatres, which owns theatres across London, has also prohibited the glasses during shows. Despite Meta's assurances of safeguards to prevent surreptitious filming, multiple instances of people being recorded without consent have been reported. Instagram has taken action against nonconsensual videos made using the glasses. While Meta claims the glasses are helpful for activities like listening to music, live translation, and hands-free calls, there is still concern about their potential for surreptitious surveillance.",
  "summary": "Meta says safeguards are in place to prevent surreptitious filming, but some UK venues now prohibit them from being worn at all When Meta used superstar Kylie Jenner to promote its sleek new line of “spy glasses”, the social media company hoped the devices would reach the same broad acceptance that tablets and smartwatches have found before them. But those plans have hit a snag in the UK, where…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Technology",
        "title": "Why I'll never be convinced by Meta's ‘pervert’ glasses | Opinion",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/why-ill-never-be-convinced-by-metas-pervert-glasses-opinion",
        "published": "2026-08-05T14:13:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}