ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

UK Venues Ban Meta Smart Glasses Over Privacy Concerns

other · 2026-08-10

Due to privacy issues, several UK venues, such as Wetherspoons, Soho House, Monopoly Events, and ATG Theatres, have prohibited the use of Meta smart glasses. Tim Martin, the CEO of Wetherspoons, expressed concerns that these glasses facilitate hidden surveillance, breaching filming regulations. Jeremy King, a restaurateur in London, has also implemented a ban, highlighting the importance of guest privacy. Soho House plans to request that patrons take off the glasses, while Monopoly Events will remove guests caught using recording devices following complaints. ATG Theatres has adopted a similar policy. These measures come after a Scottish ferry operator halted operations because of a TikToker filming crew members. Furthermore, a study from the University of Sydney revealed that 60% of male 'pick-up artists' in Instagram videos displayed signs of potential harassment.

Key facts

  • Wetherspoons, a UK pub chain with over 800 venues, announced a ban on Meta glasses on Friday.
  • Tim Martin, CEO of Wetherspoons, cited concerns about surreptitious surveillance.
  • Jeremy King banned Meta glasses from his London restaurants: Arlington, The Park, and Simpsons in the Strand.
  • Soho House, an international private members' club, will ask patrons to remove the glasses.
  • Monopoly Events, which runs Comic-Con in the UK, will ask guests wearing recording devices to leave.
  • ATG Theatres, operating in London, Bristol, and Edinburgh, has banned the glasses.
  • A Scottish ferry operator temporarily paused operations after a TikToker secretly filmed crew members.
  • University of Sydney researchers analyzed 350 Instagram videos from 2023 to 2026, finding 60% showed potential harassment.
  • In 43% of the videos, individuals were exposed to derogatory commentary or doxxed.

Entities

Artists

  • Tim Martin
  • Jeremy King

Institutions

  • Wetherspoons
  • Soho House
  • Monopoly Events
  • ATG Theatres
  • University of Sydney
  • Meta

Locations

  • United Kingdom
  • London
  • Bristol
  • Edinburgh
  • Scotland
  • Loch Seaforth

Sources