Southwest Airlines announced a sweeping ban on smart glasses for employees. This new policy is applicable during work hours and came after the latest baggage rule, which received negative feedback from flight attendants.
In an internal memo, Southwest said the ban on smart glasses during work hours, whether on or off company premises, ensures “clarity and consistency across the company and support our legal, safety, and operational responsibilities.”
Southwest followed a move by Delta Air Lines, which became the first airline to ban these devices for flight attendants. In addition to smart glasses, Southwest also banned wireless earbuds capable of recording.
Threat to Privacy
Although these AI-powered glasses are popular and reached record-high sales last year, companies increasingly view them as a threat to privacy.
Southwest Airlines has not yet made a public announcement regarding the new policy. The new directive outlined in the internal memo is expected to affect “all employees — corporate and frontline”. The internal memo also clarified that it “does not apply in any way to customers.”
Southwest’s internal memo to employees states: “At Southwest, safety and respect for personal privacy are foundational to how we work together and serve our customers. With new wearable technology becoming more common, we’re introducing a new Smart Glasses and Wearable Recording Devices policy. This policy ensures clarity and consistency across the company and supports our legal, safety, and operational responsibilities.”
Prescription Smart Glasses Still Not Allowed
Smart glasses manufacturers such as Ray-Ban Meta offer prescription lenses for their products. However, Southwest prohibits even prescription versions of AI-powered smart glasses in the workplace.
Because they can record potentially private information, many companies are now assessing the legal risks associated with workplace privacy. Given the risk of privacy violations and regulatory penalties, this proactive approach by Southwest underscores the airline’s responsibility to maintain a safe environment for both passengers and employees.
