Wetherspoon, a major UK pub chain, has announced a policy requiring customers to disable the recording functions of smart glasses, such as those produced by Meta, while inside its establishments. The company stated that while it does not outright ban the wearing of these devices, the act of filming customers or employees without explicit permission is prohibited.
A Wetherspoon spokesperson clarified that the general code of conduct in their pubs, mirroring that of many hospitality venues, disallows unauthorized filming. The company views smart glasses as potentially enabling "surreptitious surveillance" and considers their recording capabilities a breach of this code and common sense. This stance is likened to their existing efforts to prevent customers from audibly playing videos on phones, which is also seen as an invasion of personal space.
The pub chain confirmed it uses CCTV for security purposes, but emphasized that its use is strictly regulated by data protection laws. While Wetherspoon did not specify whether customers refusing to comply with the no-filming policy would face ejection, the policy focuses on the act of recording rather than merely wearing the glasses.
This move by Wetherspoon aligns with a growing trend among various venues and events to address privacy concerns related to camera-equipped eyewear. The DEF CON cybersecurity conference, for instance, recently banned Meta-style recording glasses entirely, advising attendees to use "non-violating eyewear" if needed. Similarly, Monopoly Events, organizers of UK Comic Cons, implemented a ban following privacy concerns raised by talent agencies and guests.
Other establishments and organizations have also taken action. Scottish ferry operator CalMac temporarily suspended unplanned visits to ship bridges after a passenger's use of the glasses made crew members uncomfortable. Restaurateur Jeremy King, who owns several London establishments, has stated these glasses should not be worn in his venues. Private members' club Soho House also extends its no-recording policy to include smart glasses. Brighton's Yellow Book Bar explicitly banned the glasses, calling them "creepy and intrusive," and theatre companies ATG Entertainment and Trafalgar Entertainment do not permit their use.
Meta's smart glasses, including the Ray-Ban Stories (2021) and Ray-Ban Meta range (2023), have become prominent in this category, with Oakley-branded models also available. Unlike earlier products like Google Glass (2012), these newer wearables are often difficult to distinguish from conventional eyewear, making their recording capabilities more problematic. Meta states its glasses feature a recording light that activates during video capture and that recording ceases if this light is obscured. However, this feature has not fully allayed privacy concerns.
While UK law generally permits filming in public spaces, pubs are private premises and can establish their own rules. The discreet nature of smart glasses makes enforcing such rules more challenging compared to traditional smartphone recording. Research has demonstrated that these glasses can be paired with applications capable of identifying individuals, and projects have been developed to alert Android users to the presence of nearby smart glasses via Bluetooth signals. Meta is also reportedly facing a UK data protection investigation concerning the cross-border data flows of footage from its glasses, following reports from Kenyan review teams.
