Cinemas Ban Meta Glasses Amid Privacy and Piracy Fears
Industry group confirms widespread restrictions as venues review policies on camera-enabled smart glasses.
Carla Rooney
Cinemas are banning or restricting Meta glasses due to privacy and piracy concerns.
Many cinema operators now prohibit or restrict camera-enabled smart glasses within their venues, the UK Cinema Association confirms. Tim Martin claims Meta glasses "seem to breach common sense by enabling surreptitious surveillance."
Meta, however, states a flashing LED light activates when the glasses film. Tamper detection technology also prevents the light from being covered.
Demand for Meta glasses has grown in recent years, reportedly on the back of partnerships with brands Ray-Ban and Oakley. The restrictions stem from concerns over film piracy and customer privacy, UK Cinemas claims.
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.
A UK Cinema Association spokesman acknowledged the increasing availability and use of wearable technology, such as smart glasses. He noted their potential benefits for those with specific access requirements.
However, the spokesman emphasized that operators remain mindful of privacy and film piracy issues arising from such technology's use in cinemas. A Meta spokeswoman stated, "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."
The Meta spokeswoman added, "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." She concluded that "Naturally some places shouldn’t be filmed at all and that’s reasonable but rules should be applied consistently."
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.
The UK Cinema Association maintains this is "clearly a developing area." It pledges continued collaboration with members to ensure their approach remains "relevant and proportionate."
A number of local chains could end up introducing policies that restrict camera-enabled smart glasses at the big screen, the UK Cinema Association claims.