Norway proposes AI-glasses ban as wearables test Europe’s privacy limits

Norway has announced that it intends to impose a temporary ban on the use of AI-powered smart glasses in specific public and sensitive places. The proposal is focused on the matter of privacy, more specifically on the worries stemming from the use of the devices to record people without their knowledge.

The privacy concern is not limited to cameras incorporated in eyewear anymore. AI smart glasses can now include capabilities such as microphones, cloud connection, and real-time processing functionalities fitted into unobtrusive-looking frames. Norway’s actions are in line with the actions of the European authorities and businesses that have been dealing with the same issues of privacy.

Selected places, not a blanket ban

The proposal would encompass locations including parks, beaches, museums, malls, and public events. There is also a possibility for inclusion of schools, kindergartens, and playgrounds in this project along with healthcare institutions and gyms or swimming pools that have changing rooms. Even the universities may be included as per the announcement of the Norwegian authorities.

According to Digitalisation and Public Administration Minister Torgeir Micaelsen, this provisional solution is intended to give authorities time to consider permanent rules.

We do not want a society where people are concerned about hidden audio recordings, photography and filming in places and situations where they are used to being without being monitored.

— Torgeir Micaelsen, in the government statement

The government is falling short of imposing a full ban on these glasses. People may continue to use the glasses privately or in situations that pose a lower risk. Exceptions will also be made for the use of glasses among vulnerable groups as well as for situations that have an evident social purpose.

From ‘already covered’ to a ban

Norway’s position has changed quickly. In a September parliamentary response, Micaelsen said the ministry had already decided to establish an expert group. Officials were also considering restrictions on facial-recognition functions in public spaces and encouraged organizations to decide whether smart glasses should be allowed on their premises, according to the Storting response.

Norway’s data protection authority had also urged the government to consider more specific rules, including restrictions on where the devices may be used and safeguards around biometric identification, according to Stephenson Harwood.

A continent-wide reckoning

France is facing similar concerns. Paris prosecutors opened a criminal investigation linked to allegations that women were covertly filmed with Meta Ray-Ban glasses, as Cryptopolitan previously reported.

Retailers have also taken action in the face of concerns about privacy issues. In the Netherlands and Belgium, Dutch optical retailer Hans Anders stopped selling Meta Ray-Ban glasses due to privacy concerns. In the UK, Wetherspoon has limited their use over concerns regarding secret recording, which is rather ironic given that Meta claims that the light that indicates when the camera is on cannot be turned off and covering it means that the camera wouldn’t work, as reported by Reuters.

Why vendors are watching

This regulatory initiative has emerged as manufacturers have invested heavily in smart glasses. Bank of America research forecasts shipments will reach over 10 million units in 2025 and reach 55 million units by 2030. Forrester’s data presented in the same report indicates that the percentage of US adults who had experimented with smart glasses will grow to about 17% in 2025, from 4.0% in 2024.

The bigger challenge for vendors may no longer be making smart glasses useful. It may be convincing people they can be used without making everyone around them feel watched.