Norway's government unveiled plans today for a temporary prohibition on AI glasses in designated public locations, raising alarms about individuals being recorded or photographed without consent. The restrictions would target venues where crowds naturally congregate and where privacy expectations run high.
Potential locations for the ban span parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres and public gatherings. The restrictions would extend to schools, playgrounds, youth clubs, medical facilities, swimming pools and gyms featuring changing areas.
I am worried that new, powerful technology is being introduced where people risk being photographed, filmed or audio-recorded without knowing it
Torgeir Micaelsen, Norway's digitalisation minister
Officials clarified that the proposal does not envision an outright prohibition. Personal use in contexts where no one risks unwanted recording would remain permitted. The government is also evaluating whether universities and colleges warrant inclusion.
The scope of devices subject to restrictions remains undetermined. Potential targets include eyewear equipped with cameras and microphones, glasses featuring cameras paired with artificial intelligence capabilities, or comparable body-mounted devices with identical functionality.
The minority administration intends to submit legislation to parliament without delay. Simultaneously, it will establish an advisory panel of specialists to develop comprehensive long-term regulations governing such technologies.
Micaelsen assumed his position as digitalisation minister approximately four weeks prior. His predecessor, Karianne Tung, had opposed implementing such restrictions, according to Norwegian media outlet TV 2.
Regulatory pressure surrounding camera-equipped eyewear is intensifying across the continent. Dutch retailer Hans Anders discontinued sales of Meta's Ray-Ban glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium last week. In the United Kingdom, numerous venues have instituted bans on Meta's Ray-Bans, while New York has prohibited smart glasses from its court facilities.
Source: The Next Web
