Norway weighs ban on camera-equipped smart glasses

Norway's government is considering restricting or banning smart glasses and other wearable devices equipped with cameras, as officials respond to growing privacy concerns. Digital Minister Karianne Tung shared the plans with the AFP news agency.

Tung pointed to devices such as those made by Meta and Snap, which include built-in cameras, are internet-connected, and could soon incorporate facial recognition capabilities. This combination has drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates, who argue the devices threaten personal privacy. Some members of the public have taken to calling them "pervert glasses," a label that has fueled significant consumer backlash.

A clear trend

According to Tung, there is a "clear trend toward combining artificial intelligence with cameras and microphones" embedded in everyday objects like glasses, headphones and hats. She said the government's goal is to prevent this kind of equipment from being used to monitor other people in public places.

Tung indicated that any new rules could include a ban on using facial recognition to identify other people in public settings. To help shape the government's approach and strengthen privacy protections, she plans to convene a group of experts to advise on the issue.