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UK cinemas consider restricting Meta smart glasses amid piracy fears
The UK Cinema Association says operators would need to weigh privacy and film piracy concerns against potential accessibility benefits from the AI-enabled devices.
Cinemas across the UK are considering policies that restrict or ban customers from wearing Meta smart glasses, as fears grow that camera-enabled wearables could be used to film movies covertly, the UK Cinema Association said.
The trade body said it was not aware of any cinema bans by its members so far, but added that local operators could introduce rules that prohibit and/or restrict camera-enabled smart glasses in their venues.
The glasses cost £359, and critics have targeted them over privacy and alleged surveillance concerns, while the UKCA said operators would need to ensure its approach is relevant and proportionate.
Meta has said a small flashing LED activates when the glasses are used to record, and it deploys frequently updated tamper-detection technology intended to prevent users from covering the light, though complaints about being videoed without prior notice have already been reported.