Travelers to Norway may soon encounter new limitations concerning the use of smart glasses. The Norwegian government has indicated plans to suggest a temporary ban on AI-enabled glasses in select public spaces, as highlighted in a statement from the Ministry of Digitalization and Public Governance.
These limitations could affect areas commonly frequented by visitors, such as beaches, parks, museums, shopping centers, and large public events. Smart glasses, equipped with cameras and microphones, have raised concerns among officials who worry about the possibility of individuals being unknowingly recorded.
“We do not want a society where people are concerned about hidden audio or video recordings in places where they typically expect privacy,” stated Torgeir Micaelssen, the minister responsible for Digitalization and Public Administration.
The proposed restrictions have not yet been enacted, but the government aims to present legislation to Norway’s parliament, known as the Storting, soon. Decision-makers are still evaluating which devices and locations would be included in the new rules. It’s unclear if the regulations would be limited to AI-enabled glasses or if they would extend to other wearable technology that is capable of recording.
While the government isn’t looking to impose a total ban on smart glasses, they would still allow for their private use in contexts where there is no risk of others being recorded without consent. This discussion comes at a time when similar privacy issues regarding smart glasses are being addressed in the United States.
For instance, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill that would have made it illegal to use smart glasses to record individuals without their consent in places like changing rooms or medical facilities. The proposed law also included provisions that would require smart glasses to have features indicating when audio or video recording was occurring starting in 2028. Newsom argued that the definition of wearable recording devices in the bill was too vague.
Currently, California has existing laws aimed at preventing unauthorized recordings in areas where privacy is generally expected. If the legislation had passed, individuals caught secretly recording could have faced fines of up to $1,500 or even jail time. Companies that sold non-compliant devices could have been fined up to $2,500.
