Heading to the UK? You Might Want to Leave Your Smart Glasses at Home

A growing number of UK venues have announced bans on Meta’s smart glasses, citing privacy and concerns over potential covert recording. The Guardian reports that courtrooms in the UK are confiscating the devices from people trying to wear them in court, and Wetherspoons has stopped allowing them in its pubs. London restaurateur Jeremy King told the paper that Arlington, The Park and Simpsons restaurants he runs have also banned the glasses. ATG Theatres, which operates the Bristol Hippodrome and other venues, prohibits filming and can require attendees to remove the devices. Soho members’ clubs and the organizer of Comic-Con events have adopted stricter rules, potentially asking people to leave and forfeit pre-booked items. Meta says the glasses include a recording light and improved anti-tamper measures, after a report found modders could disable it. IDC data cited says the non-display smart glasses market grew 167% year over year in Q1.