IT·Science News

Courts in England and Wales ban Meta’s camera glasses, following pubs, theatres and restaurants

Courts in England and Wales have banned Meta’s camera glasses, The Guardian reported on 11 August. His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service said the glasses will be confiscated from anyone entering its buildings and returned when they leave. Courts in New York announced a similar ban last month.

“There are clear restrictions on taking images or videos within courts and tribunals which is why the use of Meta glasses is prohibited.” — HMCTS spokesperson, via The Guardian

The ruling follows a wave of venue bans. The Guardian reported on 6 August that restaurateur Jeremy King’s London restaurants, Soho House clubs, ATG Theatres and the Wetherspoons pub chain do not allow filming with the £359 glasses. Meta points to a small LED that flashes while the glasses record. Sales have tripled in the last year, with more than 7 million pairs sold worldwide.

How each outlet framed it

• The Guardian — the backlash and both sides: complaints of people being filmed without knowing, including a woman who told the BBC a man demanded money to remove videos; chef Tom Kerridge said he has “no problem whatsoever” with the glasses; Meta says people use them for music, translation and calls.
• PetaPixel — consent and covert filming: Wetherspoons’ ban covers more than 800 pubs, Comic-Con UK organiser Monopoly Events will ask wearers of recording devices to leave, and a University of Sydney study of 350 Instagram “pick-up” videos found about 60% showed potential harassment.

What we don't know yet: whether other public bodies follow the court service, and whether Meta changes the recording light or other safeguards in response.