Norway Moves To Restrict AI Smart Glasses In Parks, Schools And Gyms

Norway is moving to temporarily restrict the use of AI-powered smart glasses in a range of public places amid growing concerns that people can be photographed, filmed or recorded without their knowledge.

The Norwegian government said Monday it would present legislation to parliament, the Storting, “as soon as possible”, proposing a temporary ban in selected locations. The measure is intended to give authorities time to study the technology and develop permanent national rules for wearable devices.

The proposed restrictions could cover parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres and public events, as well as schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and youth clubs. Authorities are also considering restrictions at healthcare facilities, swimming pools and gyms with changing rooms and showers, where privacy concerns are particularly acute.

Universities, colleges and other educational institutions could also be included. The government said it was not seeking a blanket ban on smart glasses or other wearable technology. Private use would remain possible, while exceptions could be created for vulnerable people and other socially beneficial uses.

Digitalisation and Public Governance Minister Torgeir Micaelsen said the government was concerned about people being exposed to hidden audio recordings, photographs and videos in places where they normally expect privacy. An expert group will also be established to examine the wider challenges posed by wearable technology and advise on permanent regulation.

The move comes as scrutiny of camera-equipped glasses increases elsewhere. In the Netherlands, eyewear retailer Hans Anders suspended sales of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium, citing the growing public and political debate over privacy and how the technology should be used. Dutch privacy authorities have also warned about recording identifiable people without consent.

In the UK, the cinema industry has introduced policies to restrict or prohibit camera-enabled smart glasses over concerns about privacy and film piracy.

In the United States, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed legislation that would have penalised people for using smart glasses to secretly record others in places such as changing rooms and doctors' offices. The bill would also have required wearable recording devices to carry an indicator showing when recording was taking place.

Meta, which developed its smart glasses with Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica, says the glasses have a visible light that indicates when the camera is recording. The company advises users to respect people's preferences and stop recording if someone objects. Meta also says the camera is automatically disabled if the recording indicator is blocked or tampered with.

Privacy advocates, however, argue that the growing use of camera-equipped eyewear creates a new surveillance challenge because the devices can resemble ordinary glasses and operate in everyday public settings.