The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) officially banned the use of Google Glass and other recording devices in cinemas to prevent film theft.

MPAA and NATO made the announcement during the ShowEast 2014, NATO's annual industry confab in Hollywood, Florida.

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According to the updated "film-theft prevention policy," moviegoers with smart watches, smart glasses or any other kind of "wearable technology" with video-recording capabilities must shut-off their devices in movie theaters.

The movie industry loses billions of dollars a year to piracy, NBC News reported.

"We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward using any recording device while movies are being shown," said MPAA and NATO in a joint statement.

U.S. film industry organizations also said it's been their long-standing policy, that "all phones must be silenced and the recording and wearable devices must be turned off and put away at show time."

The policy also indicated that "individuals who fail or refuse to put the recording devices away may be asked to leave. If illegal recording activity is taking place, anyone suspected will be directed to the hands of "local law enforcement agencies".

The updated rule took place after the Department of Homeland Security detained a Columbus, Ohio man wearing Google Glass over suspicions of piracy in a movie theater.

Some sources said the updated zero-tolerance policy applies to 32,000 movie screens in the United States.

Some bars and restaurants also have moved to ban Google Glass out of concerns over privacy and general unsociability, reports said.

TagsGoogle Glass, Google Glass banned, Motion Picture Association of America, NATO, wearable