Cinema operators across Britain are introducing restrictions or outright bans on camera-equipped smart glasses, including Meta’s AI-powered eyewear, amid concerns over privacy and illegal recording of films.
The UK Cinema Association said on Thursday that individual operators were developing their own policies, meaning there would not be a single industry-wide rule governing the use of the devices.
The measures come as smart glasses face increasing scrutiny over their ability to capture photographs and record video discreetly. Earlier this month, courts in England and Wales prohibited the use of Meta smart glasses because of existing restrictions on photography and filming inside courtrooms.
For cinemas, one of the principal concerns is the potential for the technology to be used for film piracy, alongside broader privacy issues involving other customers.
However, the Cinema Association acknowledged that smart glasses could provide important benefits for people with particular accessibility needs, an issue operators are expected to consider when implementing restrictions.
The association said it would continue working with cinema operators to ensure that policies remain “relevant and proportionate” as the technology develops.
Concerns over the devices have also emerged elsewhere in Europe. Earlier in August, a German advocacy group filed a criminal complaint against Meta and others involved in selling its smart glasses, citing alleged violations of privacy laws.