New York nightclub BASEMENT bans smart glasses from venue
The Queens venue says any device that can record discreetly is not compatible with its no-photo policy Continue reading...
New York nightclub BASEMENT has banned smart glasses used for capturing audio and video, expanding its no-photo and no-video policy amid growing fears over hidden recording technology.
On August 27, the Queens club announced on Instagram that smart glasses are no longer allowed into the venue, whether guests are wearing them or have them in their possession.
"Anyone who brings smart glasses into the venue, whether they are wearing them or have them in a bag, will be asked to leave and could end up being permanently banned," the club said in the statement.
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The club said that its policy is meant to protect the "privacy, safety and freedom of every individual on our dancefloor", complying with its existing no-phone policy.
Smart glasses, like Meta's Ray-Ban devices, allow users to take photos and record video with cameras discreetly built into the frames, recently causing an array of privacy and consent concerns .
Since opening underneath the Knockdown Center in 2019, BASEMENT has retained its ban on photos and videos as part of its house rules . Other bans include phone use on the dancefloor, glowing or flashing clothes, and balaclava masks.
It follows a bigger trend of clubs banning photography on the dancefloor . Other New York clubs including Nowadays, Green Room, and Signal all operate with strict no-photo policies.
In August, London queer festival Body Movements made clear its ban on smart glasses, saying that they’re "the antithesis of our brand values" in an Instagram post .
"BM is a place for freedom of expression and queer joy without fear. It is not a place for surveillance culture, non-consensual filming or exploitation," they said.
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