Norway is considering tightening restrictions on the use of wearable devices with cameras, including smart glasses launched by Meta and Snap. Local officials say these devices are increasingly integrated with AI, cameras, and microphones, leading to rising privacy risks.
Governments are concerned about surveillance in public places.
According to AFP, Norway’s Digital Minister Karianne Tung said the government is examining how to regulate the use of such connected devices. She noted that everyday items like glasses, headphones, and hats are increasingly being equipped with cameras and microphones, along with gradually integrated AI capabilities.
Tung said the government needs to prevent these devices from being used to monitor others in public places. She also said regulatory measures could include banning the use of facial recognition in public spaces to identify individuals.
Meta and Snap products have been named.
The report mentions that regulatory discussions have covered wearable devices with cameras, such as those from Meta and Snap. These devices can connect to the internet to record video and may soon incorporate more advanced facial recognition capabilities, continuing to raise concerns about privacy and civil rights.
Critics argue that such devices record the surrounding environment without others' knowledge, eroding privacy boundaries in public spaces. Controversy surrounding these products has also triggered noticeable backlash among consumers.
Norway will establish an expert panel
Tung said she plans to establish an expert panel to advise the government on better protecting individual privacy rights. The panel is expected to provide recommendations on device usage, restrictions in public spaces, and the boundaries of identification technologies.
Norway has not yet released specific legislative text or an implementation timeline, but policy discussions have clearly focused on the use of AI wearable devices in public spaces.