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Following in the footsteps of SacAnime, Anime Gaming Con has also announced a new policy regarding wearable recording devices.

Anime Gaming Con has banned the use of Meta Glasses and other wearable recording devices at their convention, effective immediately as of August 6th, 2026. This policy also applies to Anime Fuse and any other event they host. The announcement follows feedback from the community that the devices violate individual privacy and can be used for nefarious purposes. Anyone caught using a wearable recording device will be ejected from the convention and stripped of their pass.

However, exceptions to this ban exist, but they come with a set of guidelines that must be followed. Professional photographers and media covering the event are allowed to use wearable recording devices, but must be approved by the event on a case by case basis. Even with approval, professionals are required to ask for consent when using them and respect the privacy of those who do not want to be recorded. Failure to follow the guidelines will result in passes being revoked and removal from the event.

Wearable Recording Devices

The use of wearable recording devices has been a source of controversy at anime and other conventions for some time. One of the biggest issues has been their use in secretly recording others in an inappropriate or sexual manner. The backlash against them has grown in recent years, with content creators using them to harass and enrage guests just to get a reaction without their subjects knowing they have been filmed. In response, commentators who focus on the anime convention space have been sounding the alarm in the hopes that event organizers take action.

Fan conventions do have policies regarding recording or taking photos without a person’s consent, and events have started updating them to explicitly call out the use of Meta Glasses. Anime Gaming Con and SacAnime are just the latest conventions in Northern California to update their policy.

More to Come

Anime Gaming Con 2027 will take place at the Fresno Fairgrounds from February 20th to February 21st. The event invites the anime and video game fandom for a weekend of fun. Anime Fuse 2026 is set to take place on September 19th to September 20th, 2026.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer and cosplayer community of the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.