Meta Glasses Banned at ComicCon After "Secret Filming"

[Webster]

(BBC News) The promoter behind some of the biggest comic and entertainment conventions in the UK has banned Meta glasses from its events to stop “secret filming” of guests and attendees.

Monopoly Events said a number of guests had told the company they would be reluctant to appear at Comic-Con shows again after cases of recordings taking place without their knowledge. The ban is applicable to Meta glasses and any other “wearable recording devices”.

Attendees caught using the devices will be asked to leave the convention, but some fans on social media warned the move could negatively affect disabled attendees.

Devices like Meta glasses feature an almost invisible camera in the frames, with small speakers in the arms. Wearers can record video or take a photo by touching the frame – usually activating a light on the glasses in the process.

In a social media statement, Monopoly Events said: “After a consultation period we can no longer permit the wearing of any recording device at our events.

Meta glasses banned by Comic-Con promoter after 'secret filming'

A number of guests said they would be reluctant to appear at conventions again after cases of recordings taking place without their knowledge.

www.bbc.com

 

[Lamb]

Are they also banning all phones that can record?

 

[Frankj]

Those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear.

Or so I'm told.

 

[tango]

Are they also banning all phones that can record?

At least if someone is using a phone to record it's usually pretty easy to see what they are doing. Someone wearing glasses that are recording is a much more covert thing than someone holding a phone up.

 

[Romanos]

At least if someone is using a phone to record it's usually pretty easy to see what they are doing. Someone wearing glasses that are recording is a much more covert thing than someone holding a phone up.

Some stores are even selling covers for the light that is on when recording, so now that is even more of a worry.

 

[tango]

Some stores are even selling covers for the light that is on when recording, so now that is even more of a worry.

It seems like a small piece of tape would cover over a light. I can't say I study the glasses of people I see in any detail.

 

[Lamb]

At least if someone is using a phone to record it's usually pretty easy to see what they are doing. Someone wearing glasses that are recording is a much more covert thing than someone holding a phone up.

It's not always easy to tell when someone is just holding a phone in a nonchalant way. I used to have students take my pic in school when I was a sub and it was hard to tell.

 

[tango]

It's not always easy to tell when someone is just holding a phone in a nonchalant way. I used to have students take my pic in school when I was a sub and it was hard to tell.

True, but at least someone who isn't holding a phone at all probably isn't recording with a phone. Someone wearing a pair of glasses might be wearing regular glasses, they might be wearing something that helps them identify things, they might be recording.

This thing with Comic-con is really no different to the ongoing potential issue of people recording in areas you'd expect privacy - changing rooms, communal showering spaces etc.

 

[Frankj]

True, but at least someone who isn't holding a phone at all probably isn't recording with a phone. Someone wearing a pair of glasses might be wearing regular glasses, they might be wearing something that helps them identify things, they might be recording.

This thing with Comic-con is really no different to the ongoing potential issue of people recording in areas you'd expect privacy - changing rooms, communal showering spaces etc.

The difference is that in changing rooms and communal showers you have a reasonable expectation of privacy since it is generally illegal to record there and in a general exposition public assembly area that is fully public you do not.

Wherever you go outside your home just accept that there is probably someone recording you on some device and even a good potential that someone is legally or illegally recording you inside it as well.