Monopoly Events, a promoter for numerous Comic-Cons across the United Kingdom, has banned Meta's smart glasses at its upcoming conventions due to concerns about undisclosed recording and potential privacy violations. The decision stems from instances where individuals have allegedly used the glasses to film attendees and guests without their knowledge.
This ban impacts events such as Comic-Cons in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and the north east of England, as well as specialized conventions for wrestling, horror, and anime. The promoter also organizes events featuring celebrity guests from around the world.
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from fans. Some attendees have voiced support for the ban, expressing a desire to avoid being recorded for obscure online content. Others have raised concerns about the potential for children to be filmed by unknown individuals. "It's one thing walking to walk around with your phone, which someone could see and ask you not to film them, but your glasses aren't as obvious," one fan commented.
Convention guests have also indicated that the possibility of unauthorized recordings may deter them from appearing at future events. The opacity of recording through smart glasses, compared to more overt phone usage, is a key factor in these concerns.
Monopoly Events runs a wide array of conventions, catering to diverse fandoms and attracting international guests. The decision to ban Meta glasses reflects a growing awareness of privacy issues associated with wearable technology at public gatherings.
