A trip to the park, a day at the beach, or a workout at the gym—these are all everyday activities taking place in public spaces, and with the rise of smart glasses, there’s a growing concern about privacy. These devices can take photos, record conversations, and even stream video without the knowledge of those in front of their lenses.
The Norwegian government is now looking to address the potential risks associated with AI glasses by proposing a temporary ban on their use in certain locations.
This proposal reflects increasing worries around new technologies that significantly alter daily life. For instance, some countries have already prohibited social media use among children and young teenagers.
Norway’s government intends to present this temporary ban to parliament, referred to as the Storting, “as soon as possible.”
AI Glasses Raise Concerns in Various Settings
A pivotal issue is determining where to implement such bans.
Officials in Norway suggest that smart glasses might be prohibited in places where privacy is especially critical—like healthcare facilities or fitness centers that have changing rooms and showers. They also aim to protect areas where children are present, such as schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, and youth clubs.
The ban could extend to public spaces like concerts, sports events, parks, beaches, museums, and shopping centers.
A temporary prohibition would allow authorities to decide which devices should be regulated and discuss whether there’s a need for a more permanent solution. The government emphasized that this isn’t a total ban, making it clear that the use of such devices could still be permitted in private settings and certain locations.
They are also contemplating exceptions for vulnerable populations, ensuring that “socially beneficial uses” of smart glasses might still be allowed in specific cases.
Privacy Advocates Applaud Norway’s Initiative
Adam Smith, a technology advocacy officer at Privacy International, based in Britain, expressed that Norway’s action is “a welcome protection against big tech’s greedy attempts to extract ever more data, often without considering the privacy or rights of others.”
He further remarked, “No one should expect to be secretly surveilled while going about their daily lives.”
However, attempts to regulate the use of AI glasses have faced challenges even in tech-forward locations like Silicon Valley.
Recently, California’s governor vetoed a bill that would have imposed penalties for using smart glasses to record individuals without their consent in private spaces like changing rooms or doctor’s offices.
Businesses Reconsider AI Glasses Amid Concerns
Meta, the tech company behind Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has rolled out AI glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban and promotes a culture of privacy. They encourage responsible use, suggesting users should stop recording if someone prefers not to be filmed.
The company, located in Menlo Park, California, has mentioned that a light on the glasses indicates when recording is active, and if that light is blocked, the camera is disabled automatically.
Despite this reassurance, privacy advocacy groups point to a backlash against AI glasses. For instance, the Dutch eyewear retailer Hans Anders has halted the sale of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, citing the ongoing public and political discussions about smart glasses and the conditions for their use.
In the UK, the UK Cinema Association has also announced policy changes to restrict or prohibit camera-enabled smart glasses in cinemas, highlighting concerns about privacy and potential film piracy.
