Meta smart glasses could soon be banned in cinemas, says UK trade body but this time its more about piracy than privacy

Date:
Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Description:
Movie theatres considering banning Meta Ray-Bans in the UK as businesses beat governments to the punch.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter UK movie theatres considering smart glasses ban The ban would be over privacy and piracy concerns It's yet another instance of private bans restricting the tech Privacy concerns have rocked Metas smart glasses business. Theyre being ridiculed online as perv glasses, and their use is banned in a growing number of spaces. In the UK, this could also soon include cinemas , though its for a very different
p-word: piracy.

The main concern with camera glasses, like the ones Meta produces with its partners Ray-Ban and Oakley, is that people can record in a fairly secretive way. This is an issue for the general public as they dont know when or if theyre being recorded, and for venues like cinemas and theatres as it allows movies and live shows to be subtly recorded by the audience. With a stable enough internet connection, the viewing could even be live-streamed. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

The ban hasnt taken effect yet, but its consideration is another blow for smart glasses makers and users, who are finding it increasingly difficult to wear their specs because of their spy-camera capabilities. (Image credit: Meta) Meta would argue that recording isnt covert. There is a light that
comes on and stays on while you record. Plus, Meta has taken numerous steps
to disable recording capabilities if this light is tampered with either via
a simple cover or by fiddling with the hardware. You may like Here are the places smart glasses are banned as privacy concerns grow Meta just fixed a
big privacy vulnerability with its Ray-Ban smart glasses The smart glasses backlash hits new heights as celebs and activists unite

However, critics have argued the light is easy to miss if you dont know to look for it, especially if you're outdoors during the day or in a bright place.

In a dark theatre or cinema, the recording light would arguably be a lot more noticeable, though the proposed ban would reduce the risk that bad actors sneak through while also addressing privacy concerns the glasses raise for other patrons, and banning glasses that allow more covert filming. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Because while Meta is the most well-known smart glasses maker, and so is taking the heaviest share of the backlash, it isnt the only player in town. Some glasses manufacturers aren't as strict about tackling modders who
disable their recording indicator, while others make the indicator even less noticeable or dont ship with one installed. (Image credit: Future / Hamish Hector) Going, going, gone? Governments have also been considering action against smart glasses; however, we have yet to see much in the way of widespread bans. At this rate, we might not need to.

The court of public opinion has issued an overwhelmingly negative verdict on smart glasses. The privacy concerns for people wearing the glasses, and for passersby caught in their gaze who never consented to having their life captured by smart specs, What to read next I want to just love my Meta AI glasses, but I cant get over privacy fears Modders are disabling the Meta Ray-Bans most important safety feature Meta Ray-Ban Scriber Optics hands-on: superb 2026 smart glasses

Even previous champions of the technology Ive spoken with journalists like myself who have used and tested, and loved these glasses have stopped
wearing them outside of our reviews. Ive written before how Im genuinely fearful Ill get accosted in the street if Im caught wearing these glasses.

Besides the threat of retaliation, the steady banning of these glasses across various venues makes them increasingly useless. Thats doubly true for folks who need prescription glasses smart glasses bans often say that the glasses having prescription lenses is no excuse, meaning you could spend $500 / 500 / AU$750 plus on a pair of glasses you cant wear anywhere. (Image credit: Meta) Is this the end of smart glasses then? A serious perception overhaul could help, though its unclear how that would be achieved without such major software changes or hardware alterations, such as removing the camera altogether though, from experience, cameraless smart specs dont impress me. Its too useful a feature to lose out on.

To that end, its a lose-lose, and thats a shame for a category I think is quite fun and cool when people arent being creeps with them. Theyre also proving a handy tool for people with visual impairments as the glasses can
see and describe the world for them.

Well have to wait and see what happens, but I expect itll continue to be a rocky road ahead for smart glasses. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-sma rt-glasses-could-soon-be-banned-in-cinemas-says-uk-trade-body-but-this-time-it s-more-about-piracy-than-privacy


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