JD Wetherspoon bans smart glasses from all UK pubs

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 10:59 · Archive

JD Wetherspoon has banned Meta glasses and other smart glasses from its more than 800 UK pubs over privacy concerns.

JD Wetherspoon has banned Meta glasses and other smart glasses from all its UK pubs. The ban applies to more than 800 venues across the country and was announced in August. The devices can record video, photos and audio, and have raised privacy concerns because they can film without drawing obvious attention.

The ban follows growing reports of people secretly recording strangers and sharing footage online. A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson explained that whilst the chain uses CCTV cameras for security reasons, their use is strictly controlled by data legislation. The spokesperson said that the general code in most pubs is that customers and employees cannot be filmed without their permission.

"Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance," the spokesperson said. "This is akin to our efforts to stop audible playing of videos in our pubs, which also invades people's space." A survey found that around 88% of Wetherspoon customers agree with the ban.

Meta responded to the ban by noting that their glasses have a light that turns on to let people know when a photo or video is being taken. A company spokesperson said: "People use our glasses because they're helpful and help them stay in the moment, from listening to music to live translation or hands-free calls. They also provide critical new technology for people who are low-sighted or hard of hearing."

Meta argued that limiting how people can use the technology would be a step backwards. The company acknowledged that some places should not be filmed at all and said such rules should be applied consistently across venues.

How it is being reported

• Wetherspoon customers face new rule as smart glasses banned from pubsMeta Glasses (and other smart glasses) are now banned from all JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK.Cumberland News · 28 Oct, 10:41
• Wetherspoon customers face new rule as smart glasses banned from pubsMeta Glasses (and other smart glasses) are now banned from all JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK.Whitehaven News · 28 Oct, 10:41
• Wetherspoon customers face new rule as smart glasses banned from pubsMeta Glasses (and other smart glasses) are now banned from all JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK.Westmorland Gazette · 28 Oct, 10:41
• Wetherspoon customers face new rule as smart glasses banned from pubsMeta Glasses (and other smart glasses) are now banned from all JD Wetherspoon pubs in the UK.NW Evening Mail · 28 Oct, 10:41

In this story: JD Wetherspoon · Meta · Cumbria · UK

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