Piracy fears prompt calls for ban on Meta smart glasses in UK cinemas

Trade body says local chains would have to balance concerns with potential benefits of AI-enabled technology

Cinemas across the UK are considering banning customers from wearing Meta’s smart glasses amid fears they could be used to pirate films.

The UK Cinema Association (UKCA) trade body said that a number of local chains could end up introducing policies that restrict camera-enabled smart glasses at the big screen, adding to a growing list of venues concerned about covert use.

The £359 specs, nicknamed “pervert glasses” and “spyware” by critics, are facing a growing backlash, leading to bans at restaurants, theatres, pubs and courtrooms.

The UKCA said it was not aware of any bans by members to date, but bosses would have to balance their concerns with the potential benefits provided by the AI-enabled technology to customers with accessibility issues. The glasses can help viewers with bespoke subtitles, for example, providing support for people with visual impairment or hearing loss.

In a statement first reported by Sky News, the trade body said: “Cinema operators are aware of the increasing availability and use of wearable technology such as smart glasses and the extent to which these can provide benefits to those with specific access requirements.

“However, they are also mindful of the issues around privacy and film piracy that arise around the use of such technology in cinemas, and as a result many are introducing policies to prohibit and/or restrict the wearing of camera-enabled smart glasses in particular in their venues,” the UKCA added.

“This is clearly a developing area, and we will continue to work with our members to ensure their approach remains relevant and proportionate.”

Meta has said that a tiny, flashing LED light activates on the glasses when they are being used to film, and that frequently updated tamper-detection technology is deployed to stop users covering this light during recordings.

However, there have already been instances of people complaining that they have been videoed without prior knowledge. Such reports will add to piracy concerns for cinemas.

Other large chains in the UK leisure and entertainment sector have already taken a hardline stance against the glasses.

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

Meanwhile, the chief executive of the UK pub chain Wetherspoons, Tim Martin, said: “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.”

A Meta spokesperson said: “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. They also provide critical new technology for people in the blind and low-vision community 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. Our glasses have a light that turns on to let people know when a photo or video is taken, something smartphones and other cameras don’t have.”