Putting the 'ban' in Meta Ray-Ban: the UK mulls restrictions on smart glasses

Date:
Thu, 05 Nov 2026 12:27:34 +0000

Description:
After Australia expanded its smart glasses restrictions earlier this year, it could soon be the UK's turn.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The UK is the latest country to consider restricting the use and sale of smart glasses Safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur said "the government is looking into options to restrict smart glasses in certain settings and restricting the sale to certain users" During a debate around the technology, concerns were raised around the discreet filming of women and girls As the adoption of smart glasses increases across the world, so too have restrictions and bans on the technology from
businesses and governments alike. Australia has banned the tech in public spaces such as pools, gyms and government buildings, and now the UK
government is also considering implementing restrictions.

The devices have become unpopular in many circles, even earning the nickname
' pervert glasses ' after some men began using them to secretly film women
and girls, then posting the captured videos online. Some private businesses, such as the Wetherspoons British bar chain , have also banned the use of the devices. In a debate at Westminster Hall titled 'Smart glasses and violence against women and girls' , UK safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur said (as reported by The Guardian ): the benefits of smart glasses must be weighed against the harms they can cause. The government is already looking into options to restrict smart glasses in certain settings and restricting the
sale to certain users. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

This might be similar to Australia's ban on the technology being used in public spaces. Kaur also highlighted that other settings, such as healthcare and education, have existing safeguarding or professional policies that are relevant to smart glasses and any kind of digital recording." Kaur seemed to be hinting that where limitations on recording on smartphones already exist, this would extend to smart glasses and similar tech, but we could also see wider smart glasses-specific rules in future.

Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrat MP who opened the debate, reportedly said: Women are reporting waking up after nights out to find videos of themselves have gone viral online, filmed without their knowledge or consent by men wearing smart glasses... these devices not only have the potential to erode safety and privacy in public spaces, but raise really important questions about consent. You may like Australia mulls world-leading ban on smart
glasses in government agencies Meta smart glasses face movie theatre ban in
UK another blow to the tech We dont want whats happening in the US to happen here: Australias smart glasses ban extends to even more public areas
Analysis: More restrictions will surely follow (Image credit: Getty Images / China News Service) Kaur did also highlight the useful aspect of smart glasses, such as helping visually or hearing-impaired people understand their surroundings. For those people, she said "smart glasses have been a game-changer, helping them navigate the world around them.

Our writer Kevin Lynch, who has a hearing impairment, reviewed the Nuance Audio smart specs equipped with directional microphones , which he said were 'genuinely impactful'. It's likely any incoming legislation would allow for this usage. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up
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However, there's no getting around the harmful uses of smart glasses too. A secondary cottage industry of Amazon sellers hocking black stickers, sized to cover the LED recording light, or offering to drill it out entirely, has sprung up online. This is all to enable people to record footage without letting others know they're doing so.

With the invasive potential of smart glasses to target women and post the footage online, companies like Meta are left with a clear stigma they'll have to shake before smart glasses can be seen as cool .

Prosecutors in Paris have also opened probes into smart glasses-related
sexual harassment offenses, according to the French national newspaper Le Monde . I predict Australia won't be the only country to adopt legislation that restricts the sale or usage of smart glasses in 2027.

Do you think smart glasses should be banned, or should we be free to record wherever we like? Have your say in our poll below. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/putting- the-ban-in-meta-ray-ban-the-uk-is-considering-placing-restrictions-on-smart-gl asses-sales-as-the-government-is-already-looking-into-options-to-curb-the-secr et-filming-of-women


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