Norway plans temporary ban on smart glasses in some public places
Short summary
Norway is drafting legislation to ban camera-enabled smart glasses in parks, beaches, schools, shops, and other public venues, citing privacy concerns about covert recording. The move reflects growing global pushback against the devices, with restrictions already appearing in UK and US venues, and reported incidents of women being filmed without consent.
- Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have sold at least 9 million pairs since early 2023, but incidents in France show they're being used to film women without knowledge, with clips posted on social media as "pranks."
- Norway's minister of digital affairs wants to prevent a society where people worry about being secretly recorded in places they expect privacy, like gyms and healthcare facilities.
- California's governor vetoed legislation that would have criminalized using smart glasses to record in private spaces like changing rooms and doctors' offices, despite the state having existing unlawful recording laws.
- Meta argues its glasses have a tamper-proof LED that blinks when recording and can't be disabled, but this hasn't stopped reported misuse.
Full summary
Norway is moving toward a temporary ban on camera-enabled smart glasses in specific public spaces—parks, beaches, museums, shops, schools, gyms, and healthcare facilities—while allowing private use. The government, led by Labour minister Torgeir Micaelsen, is concerned that people can be recorded without their knowledge or consent in places where they expect privacy. The ban needs support from other parties to pass, and authorities plan to submit legislation soon while an expert group develops permanent rules.
Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses have sold at least 9 million pairs since early 2023, making them the dominant product in this category. The devices let users film, photograph, make calls, and run AI commands. France's child welfare group reported about 20 incidents this year of women filmed without consent using these glasses—mostly by young men approaching women in public and posting the footage online as pranks or fake street interviews. California's governor vetoed a bill that would have penalized unauthorized recording in private spaces like changing rooms and doctor's offices, though the state already has general unlawful recording laws.
Meta counters that every camera-equipped pair has a bright LED light that blinks when recording and can't be disabled, plus the camera stops working if someone covers the lens. The company emphasizes that users should stop recording if anyone objects. Beyond France and Norway, restrictions are already scattered across the UK and US—courtrooms ban them outright, while restaurants, pubs, and cinemas have introduced their own policies citing privacy and film piracy concerns.