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Meta glasses banned by Comic-Con promoter after ‘secret filming’
Monopoly Events has banned Meta glasses and other wearable recording devices from its UK conventions after guests and attendees raised concerns about being filmed without their knowledge. The promoter said secret recordings were harming personal interactions and could discourage celebrity guests from returning, making the decision significant for privacy and safety at major fan events.
The ban covers Comic-Cons in cities including Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, as well as wrestling, horror and anime events. Anyone caught using a device may be removed and lose any unpaid-for autograph or photo sessions; while many fans supported the policy, others warned it could disadvantage blind and partially sighted people who use smart glasses for navigation, and questioned how enforceable it would be.
In short
- Comic-Con promoter bans smart glasses over covert-filming concerns.
- Guests feared recordings could deter them from attending.
- Fans raised accessibility and enforcement concerns.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Organisers have a responsibility to protect attendees' privacy and the trust necessary for genuine social interaction. Undisclosed filming violates the basic consent people should expect when attending public events, and genuine reports of guests feeling uncomfortable are substantiated. If celebrities begin avoiding conventions due to concerns about uncontrolled recording and image usage, the events themselves suffer. Creating spaces where people can interact authentically without becoming unwitting subjects in strangers' recordings is a reasonable and important aim.
The case against
Whilst privacy concerns are legitimate, a blanket ban raises serious accessibility issues that effectively discriminate against disabled attendees. Blind and partially sighted people rely on smart glasses for independent navigation, and excluding them undermines their inclusion and autonomy. Moreover, enforcement is practically difficult and risks arbitrary application. Rather than a sledgehammer approach, less restrictive alternatives—such as disclosure requirements, designated filming areas, or attendee education—could address privacy concerns whilst preserving accessibility and avoiding unintended harm to disabled visitors.
Explained simply
Meta glasses are smart glasses with a built-in camera that can record video. At fan conventions, some attendees have been secretly using them to film other people without permission, which organisers say is a privacy and safety concern.
Monopoly Events, which runs Comic-Cons and other conventions across the UK, has banned Meta glasses and similar wearable recording devices from its events. Anyone caught using such devices may be removed from the event and could lose booked celebrity photo and autograph sessions.
The move reflects wider concerns about privacy at large public gatherings as wearable technology becomes more common. However, some attendees have raised concerns that the ban could affect blind and partially sighted people who rely on smart glasses for navigation, and questioned how the rule would be enforced in practice.