A ban on smart glasses is now in effect.
Basement, an exclusive nightclub in Maspeth, Queens, known for its edgy vibe and rigorous entry standards, including a secret “vibe check,” is taking a strong stance against patrons wearing smart glasses.
“Anyone bringing smart glasses into the venue, whether they’re wearing them or carrying them, will be asked to leave and may face a permanent ban,” the club posted on Instagram.
They highlighted that their strict no photo and no video policy is aimed at ensuring privacy and safety for everyone enjoying the dance floor. Smart glasses, with their discreet recording capability, conflict with this aim.
The Post reached out to Basement for their insights on this new regulation, which underlines the increasing controversy surrounding such technology.
Smart glasses, equipped with advanced features, can capture video and photos discreetly. Since they can be hard to detect, there’s rising concern about their potential for unauthorized recordings.
Reactions on Instagram showed a significant amount of support for the glasses ban. One commenter emphasized the need to keep the dance space free of distractions. Another jokingly suggested a magnetic check to catch offenders. Someone even stated that all venues should adopt a similar rule.
Comments reflected a bit of disdain as well, with one observer mocking those who wear smart glasses to clubs, questioning the compatibility of such tech in nightlife environments. “We need to stop embracing a surveillance culture,” remarked another, while some referred to the glasses derogatorily, connecting them to inappropriate behavior.
This past spring, the misuse of Meta’s smart glasses went viral with individuals using them to film harassing encounters, leading to widespread criticism. This issue caught the attention of Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, who recently expressed frustration over this trend and committed to removing such harmful content from his platform.
In response to growing concerns, Meta, known for its recent launch of the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses at $799, announced various strategies to mitigate the misuse of these devices. They’ve implemented features to disable the camera if users attempt to conceal the recording indicator light and secured a patent for a kill switch to deactivate sensors inappropriately used.
