Wetherspoons has officially banned Meta smart glasses from all of its 803 pubs and hotels across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The decision, confirmed by the pub chain which operates numerous branches in Birmingham, means customers will no longer be permitted to use the camera-equipped glasses to record inside any of its venues.
CEO Tim Martin explains the ban
Tim Martin, chief executive of Wetherspoons, said the ban aligns with the general code of conduct that applies in most pubs. He emphasised that filming customers or employees without their permission is not allowed. “Meta glasses seem to breach this code, and common sense, by enabling surreptitious surveillance, so our instinct is to say turn off the cameras,” Martin stated. He drew parallels to the chain’s existing efforts to stop audible video playback in pubs, which he said also invades people’s space.
Meta defends its product
In response, a Meta spokesperson defended the glasses, highlighting their practical uses such as listening to music, live translation, and hands-free calls. The spokesperson stressed that privacy was built into the AI glasses from the ground up, noting that every pair has a capture LED that blinks when taking a photo or video. “It can’t be turned off, and if someone covers or damages the LED, the camera is disabled,” they explained.
Meta has sold over seven million pairs of the glasses to date, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg calling them “some of the fastest-growing consumer electronics in history” earlier this year. Tracy Clayton, another Meta spokesman, told the BBC that people should behave responsibly with any technology. “We have teams dedicated to limiting and combating misuse, but as with any technology, the onus is ultimately on individual people to not actively exploit it,” Clayton said.
Widespread adoption and stigma
Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, addressed the stigma around wearing smart glasses daily in an Instagram post two weeks ago. He suggested that the sheer number of Meta Ray-Bans sold indicates they are widely accepted. However, Wetherspoons’ ban reflects growing concerns about privacy in public spaces.
Impact on Birmingham and beyond
Wetherspoons operates approximately 800 to 803 pubs and hotels across the UK and Ireland, with the vast majority—around 697—located in England. The ban applies to all locations, including those in Birmingham, where the chain has a significant presence. Customers are now advised to turn off cameras on Meta glasses while on the premises, or they may be asked to leave.
The decision has sparked debate about the balance between technological innovation and personal privacy. While Meta emphasises the built-in privacy features, Wetherspoons’ stance suggests that the potential for misuse outweighs the benefits in a social setting. This move could set a precedent for other hospitality venues considering similar restrictions.
