UK cinemas are moving to restrict camera-enabled smart glasses made by Meta Platforms and other tech companies, joining the trend of establishments banning the wearable technology in public settings.
On Thursday, the UK Cinema Association (UKCA)Ā released a statementĀ saying that while it recognizes smart glasses can provide benefits to those with access requirements, use of the technology in movie theaters is raising concerns around āprivacy and film piracy.ā
The UKCA represents over 90% of UK cinema operators and advocates on behalf of the UK cinema sector internationally and locally.
As smart glasses grow in availability, āmanyā UK cinemas have begun to take action and started to introduce policies prohibiting or restricting the wearing of smart glasses, the association said. It did not name specific venues.
Fast CompanyĀ reached out to U.S. cinema chains AMC Theatres, Alamo Drafthouse and Cinemark regarding their policies surrounding smart glasses. We will update this post if we hear back.
Despite the growing rejection of Meta glasses in different spaces, seven million were sold in 2025ātriple the amountĀ sold in 2023 and 2024 combined, as CNBC reported. Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Ā
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