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WhatsApp ‘drops’, price hikes and queues in scramble for solar eclipse specs

The Guardian UK Wednesday 12 August 2026, 15:54 UTC By Helena Horton, Deborah Solomon and Rachel Hall 1 min read
Key Points

Amid doubling prices and fraying tempers, shoppers hunt for elusive eyewear to prepare for rare eclipse of sun• Europe solar eclipse – latest updatesA secretive WhatsApp group was pinging with notifications throughout Wednesday, letting its members know where in London the latest “drop” would take place. The group’s focus, rather than being for an illicit substance, was for the much coveted eclipse glasses, which have prompted a frantic rush on shops before the celestial event.

Amid doubling prices and fraying tempers, shoppers hunt for elusive eyewear to prepare for rare eclipse of sun

• Europe solar eclipse – latest updates

A secretive WhatsApp group was pinging with notifications throughout Wednesday, letting its members know where in London the latest “drop” would take place.

The group’s focus, rather than being for an illicit substance, was for the much coveted eclipse glasses, which have prompted a frantic rush on shops before the celestial event.

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WhatsApp (ORG) sun• Europe (LOCATION) London (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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