No smart glasses, no cameras: Toronto venues rethink privacy on the dance floor
Toronto music venues are implementing bans on smart glasses and cameras to protect patron privacy and safety on the dance floor. Owners argue that the rise of wearable recording technology makes it difficult for guests to know when they are being filmed, necessitating stricter policies.
Why it matters
The trend reflects growing public concern over privacy and consent in social spaces as wearable technology becomes more ubiquitous.
Takin Nateghi, owner and operator of Wiggle Room, a music venue in Toronto, says making the move to ban smart glasses fits into their philosophy of keeping the dance floor safe. (Talia Ricci/CBC - image credit) A Toronto dance venue recently announced a policy banning smart glasses — a move that has been met with support online and sparked a broader conversation about privacy on the dance floor.
The ban at Wiggle Room, a club known for being music focused with a safe-space approach, is less about photography itself and more about whether people know when they are being recorded, says owner Takin Nateghi.
"It's mostly a safety concern for our guests, for everybody really. It's kind of sneaky to have a camera no one is aware of and that's the main thing," he said.
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