Wetherspoons has introduced a new policy requiring customers wearing Meta smart glasses to switch off the camera function before entering any of its more than 800 pubs across the UK. The pub chain confirmed the move is aimed at protecting the privacy of both customers and staff.
Policy details and rationale
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the wearable technology, which allows users to discreetly take photos and record videos through built-in cameras. A Wetherspoons spokesperson said the policy was made to protect privacy, noting that while the company uses CCTV for security, its use is strictly controlled by data legislation.
"Apart from that, the general code that applies in our pubs, and most pubs, is that you can't film customers or employees without their permission," the spokesperson said. "Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance, so our instinct is to say turn off the cameras."
Growing concerns over surreptitious filming
The policy follows reports of people, particularly women, being secretly filmed while wearing the smart glasses. Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses include cameras alongside features such as music streaming, phone calls, text messaging, and live translation. Prices start from around £247.
Responding to privacy concerns, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the glasses include a small indicator light to show when recording is taking place. "So we can't stop people from filming other people, but we can try to make sure that that light is on if they are filming," he said. "We now actually have the glasses basically stop working if you drill that light out, because we saw that people were trying to drill that light out."
Meta's response
A Meta spokesperson defended the technology, saying many customers rely on the glasses for accessibility as well as convenience. "People use our glasses because they're helpful and let them stay in the moment, from listening to music to live translation or hands-free calls," the spokesperson said. "They also provide critical new technology for people who are low-sighted or hard of hearing and limiting how people can use this technology would be a major step backwards."
The new policy means customers can still wear Meta smart glasses inside Wetherspoons pubs, but they will be expected to disable the recording function while on the premises.
