UK pub chain announces Meta glasses ban following concerns

Customers can no longer wear Meta glasses (or any other smartglasses) at any of its more than 800 pubs.

The devices, which can record video, photos and audio, have raised privacy concerns due to their ability to film without drawing attention.

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The ban follows growing reports of people secretly recording strangers and sharing footage online.

The chain runs three pubs in Oxford including The Swan & Castle in Castle Street and The Four Candles in George Street.

There are also popular Wetherspoon pubs in market towns across Oxfordshire including The Narrows in Abingdon.

A JD Wetherspoon spokesperson, explaining the ban, said: “Like many hospitality companies, Wetherspoon has CCTV cameras for security reasons, but their 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.

“Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance, so our instinct is to say turn off the cameras.

“This is akin to our efforts to stop audible playing of videos in our pubs, which also invades people’s space.”

Meta reassured people that their glasses have a light that turns on to let people know when a photo or video is being taken.

A spokesperson for the company added: “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 and limiting how people can use this technology would be a major step backwards.

“Naturally some places shouldn’t be filmed at all and that’s reasonable but rules should be applied consistently.”

Other venues including restaurants have apparently banned the Meta glasses.

Serving a pint at The Swan & Castle in Oxford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Celebrated restaurateur Jeremy King, owner of London venues including Simpsons in the Strand, Arlington and The Park, said guests should not wear the recording glasses.

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

Those wearing the glasses in Soho House’s private members’ clubs can also be expected to be asked to remove them.

A spokesperson confirmed filming is not allowed in their venues, and the Meta devices are no exception.

Those who want to wear their Meta glasses to the theatre may face opposition too.

A spokesperson for ATG Theatres, which owns the Bristol Hippodrome, Edinburgh Playhouse, and various theatres across London, said that filming is not allowed and that those wearing the glasses during shows will be asked to remove them.