UK venues ban Meta smart glasses over growing privacy concerns

Restaurants, pubs and theatres across the UK are banning Meta’s AI smart glasses over privacy concerns, raising fresh questions about wearable technology and public surveillance.

By Imran Malik | TECH | August 6, 2026

WEBDESK – THE GUARDIAN

Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses are facing increasing resistance in the United Kingdom, with a growing number of restaurants, pubs and theatres banning customers from wearing the devices over fears they could be used for covert recording.

The restrictions represent one of the strongest public pushbacks against wearable AI technology to date, as hospitality and entertainment venues move to safeguard the privacy of guests, employees and performers.

Several prominent UK businesses have introduced the bans despite Meta’s assurances that the smart glasses were designed with privacy in mind. The company says every pair features a mandatory flashing LED light that activates during photo and video recording, while the camera automatically shuts down if the indicator is covered or tampered with.

Among the businesses taking a firm stance is renowned London restaurateur Jeremy King, owner of Simpsons in the Strand, Arlington and The Park.

“I would never knowingly allow any invasion of guest privacy other than with the eyes we were born with,” King told The Guardian.

Private members’ club Soho House has also confirmed that its long-standing prohibition on filming extends to Meta’s smart glasses, while pub chain Wetherspoons has instructed customers not to use the devices for recording inside its venues.

Wetherspoons chairman Tim Martin said customers and employees should not be filmed without their permission, arguing that the glasses facilitate “surreptitious surveillance” and undermine the social environment of pubs.

Theatre operator ATG Theatres, which manages venues including the Bristol Hippodrome and Edinburgh Playhouse, has adopted a similar policy, saying anyone wearing the glasses during performances will be asked to remove them because recording is prohibited.

Meta developed the smart glasses in partnership with eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica. Designed to resemble ordinary spectacles, the devices combine discreet cameras, microphones and AI-powered features such as hands-free calling, live translation and music playback. The latest collection was heavily promoted through celebrity endorsements, including Kylie Jenner.

Despite their growing popularity, the glasses have sparked widespread concerns about privacy. Critics argue that the miniature cameras make it difficult for bystanders to know when they are being recorded, even with the built-in LED recording indicator.

Concerns have intensified following reports of alleged misuse. Previous media reports documented cases in which individuals claimed they were secretly recorded using the glasses, with footage later uploaded online without their consent. Instagram has also said it removes content created with the devices if it violates policies on harassment or non-consensual recordings.

Not everyone, however, believes the technology should be restricted.

Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, who owns several pubs and restaurants in England, said wearable cameras should be viewed as part of modern life rather than a threat.

“I have no problem whatsoever with them. Filming is part of everyday life now. In fact, I think they can be used in creative and exciting ways,” Kerridge said.

Meta maintains that protecting user and public privacy has been central to the product’s design. A company spokesperson said the glasses are intended to help users stay connected without constantly reaching for their smartphones, while ensuring that visual recording remains transparent through the always-active LED indicator.

With more than seven million Meta smart glasses reportedly sold worldwide and sales continuing to rise, the debate over balancing technological innovation with personal privacy is expected to intensify as more public venues review their policies.