Cinema operators across Britain are introducing restrictions on camera-enabled smart glasses, including Meta’s AI-powered eyewear, due to concerns over privacy and film piracy.
The UK Cinema Association confirmed that individual operators are adopting their own policies, meaning there is no single industry-wide ban. Some venues may prohibit the devices entirely, while others could impose restrictions on their use.
Recording Capabilities Raise Concerns
The concern mainly comes from the ability of smart glasses to discreetly capture photos and videos.
Cinema operators are particularly worried that such devices could be used to record films without permission, creating another potential route for piracy.
However, the UK Cinema Association acknowledged that smart glasses can also provide benefits for people with specific accessibility requirements.
The association said it will continue working with cinema operators to ensure restrictions remain “relevant and proportionate.”
Meta Smart Glasses Face Wider Scrutiny
The move follows similar restrictions elsewhere in Britain.
Courts in England and Wales prohibited Meta smart glasses earlier this month because court rules restrict taking photographs and recording video inside courtrooms.
Meta’s smart glasses are also facing legal scrutiny in Germany.
German digital rights group HateAid filed a criminal complaint against Meta, Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica and several retailers earlier in August. The group argues that the devices could violate German privacy laws because they allow people to record others discreetly.
Germany’s Federal Network Agency has said smart glasses themselves are not banned as long as their recording function is clearly visible, such as through an optical indicator.
The growing restrictions show how camera-equipped smart glasses are creating new questions around privacy and recording rules as their adoption increases.
