Smart glasses banned from upcoming Scottish Comic Con to stop 'secret filming'

Smart glasses have been banned from upcoming Scottish Comic-Con conventions to stop “secret filming” of celebrities.

Monopoly Events, the promoter behind the comic events, said a number of guests said they would not continue to attend the events as they felt any recordings of them were a “violation of their privacy”.

The ban is applicable to any “wearable recording devices”, such as Meta glasses.

Any attendees seen wearing the devices, which feature a tiny camera in the frames, may be asked to leave.

Monopoly Events runs conventions in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and the north east of England.

Comic Con Scotland will take place this year on October 24 and 25 at the Royal Highland Centre.

A statement shared on social media by Monopoly Events read: “After a consultation period, we can no longer permit the wearing of any recording device at our events.

“The vast majority of the talent and agents at our events felt that these were a violation of their privacy and were damaging and spoiling the interactions at the tables. Several expressed concerns that they might not continue to attend in-person events if they were being recorded in secret.

“We had similar feedback from event attendees, many of whom are not comfortable with the knowledge that other convention goers might be filming them without consent.

“Anyone seen using one of these devices might be asked to leave the event and forfeit any unfulfilled autographs or photographs they had purchased.

“Please let’s make these events a safe space for everyone.”