Toronto Dance Venues Ban Smart Glasses and Cameras to Protect Club-Goer Privacy
Wiggle Room, a music venue in Toronto, has implemented a ban on smart glasses to improve safety, as owner Takin Nateghi raised concerns about unauthorized recordings of guests. This decision has garnered significant online support. While patrons can still take occasional photos with their phones, another establishment, Complex19, has opted for a complete ban on cameras to protect audience privacy, allowing attendees to dance freely without the worry of being photographed. Co-owner Bradley Blaylock aims to introduce this camera-free atmosphere, which is prevalent in Europe and Montreal, to Toronto. Natalie Coulter from York University pointed out that young individuals might be losing their privacy in social environments. Jodie Dewald from The Little Jerry emphasized the importance of photos for event marketing, while some groups are returning to email promotions.
Key facts
- Wiggle Room in Toronto banned smart glasses, citing guest safety and unaware recording.
- Owner Takin Nateghi, also a DJ, said the policy targets hidden cameras, not photography generally.
- Wiggle Room still allows occasional phone photos for personal memories.
- Complex19 in Toronto barred cameras entirely to protect audience privacy.
- Co-owner Bradley Blaylock cited no-camera cultures in parts of Europe and Montreal.
- Complex19 is co-owned by Bradley Blaylock, Marc Bou-Fadel and Mitch Gibson.
- York University associate professor Natalie Coulter said recording fears shape young people's behavior in public.
- The Little Jerry owner Jodie Dewald called social media promotion an almost necessary evil, noting some parties return to email lists.
Entities
Artists
- Takin Nateghi
- Bradley Blaylock
- Marc Bou-Fadel
- Mitch Gibson
- Natalie Coulter
- Jodie Dewald
- Talia Ricci
Institutions
- Wiggle Room
- Complex19
- The Little Jerry
- York University
- CBC
- CBC Toronto
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Montreal
- Europe
- London
- Ontario
- Winnipeg
- Manitoba