WorldGaming Week Bans Meta Glasses and Wearable Recording Devices

WorldGaming, the organizer behind ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona, has amended its event policies to ban wearable recording devices including Meta Glasses, effective for the 2027 gathering scheduled for January 17-21 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via. The decision emerged after multiple exhibitors flagged concerns that their unreleased technology and proprietary innovations were at risk of being captured and copied without authorization through discreet smart eyewear.

The updated Good Neighbour policy now explicitly states: 'For the privacy and security of all attendees, exhibitors and staff, Meta Glasses and other wearable devices capable of discreetly recording audio, video or images are not permitted to be worn or used at the event.' WorldGaming further clarified that any photography, filming, or recording must occur openly and with appropriate consent from those being documented, in accordance with the event's Code of Conduct.

Margaret Dunn, portfolio director for ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona, explained the rationale behind the restriction. She emphasized that copyright infringement and unauthorized recording undermine responsible innovation and devalue companies' research and development investments - critical assets in a competitive, technology-driven industry. 'ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona are at the intersection of where gaming meets technology, and we need to protect and support the industry innovators in every way possible,' Dunn stated.

This policy shift reflects growing tensions within the gaming and technology sectors around intellectual property protection at industry gatherings. As wearable recording technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and compact, major events must balance attendee privacy rights with legitimate security concerns. The ban addresses a particularly grey area: unlike traditional cameras or recording equipment that are visibly obvious, smart glasses can capture high-quality audio and video while appearing to be ordinary eyewear, making consent-based oversight difficult to enforce.

WorldGaming Week 2027 will host both ICE Barcelona (January 18-20) and iGB Affiliate Barcelona simultaneously, making it a critical convergence point for gaming operators, technology providers, and affiliate marketers. For exhibitors launching new products or testing emerging solutions, the restrictions provide assurance that their competitive advantages remain protected during a vulnerable pre-market period.

This ban joins an expanding list of event-level restrictions on emerging technologies. As augmented reality and wearable devices proliferate across consumer markets, trade show organizers increasingly face pressure to establish clear boundaries around their use. The decision signals that WorldGaming prioritizes exhibitor confidence and IP security over unrestricted attendee technology access - a stance likely to influence other major gaming conferences as similar concerns emerge industry-wide.