Norway’s digital minister says the government will consider regulating or banning camera-equipped wearables and features such as facial recognition in public, and will convene experts to recommend protections for privacy.
The government is specifically considering bans on uses such as facial recognition of other people in public places.
An expert advisory group will be set up to recommend policies and measures to protect people’s privacy rights against camera-and-microphone-equipped everyday objects.
The move responds to public concern about wearable cameras being used to monitor people in public and to growing combinations of cameras, microphones and AI in consumer items.
# What happened Norway's digital minister, Karianne Tung, said the government is considering regulation of camera-enabled wearables such as smart glasses and other headsets made by companies like Meta and Snap. The announcements focus on privacy risks tied to devices that collect audio and video and that may soon integrate facial recognition features.
# Why the government is acting
# Policy steps planned Tung plans to establish a group of experts to advise the government on how to protect people's privacy rights in light of these devices. One concrete policy area the government is considering is banning facial recognition of other people in public spaces. The announcement signals a willingness to pursue device- and feature-specific regulation rather than leaving rules solely to manufacturers or industry guidelines.
# How this fits with other moves elsewhere Other jurisdictions have moved to limit camera-enabled eyewear or restrict their use in sensitive settings. England and Wales passed rules banning such glasses in courtrooms. Local proposals in other cities have targeted certain public venues like pools or public transport. Norway's proposal follows broader public backlash—some people label these products "pervert glasses"—and growing pressure on policymakers to define where and how capture-capable wearables can be used.
# What to watch next
# Practical implications If Norway implements bans or strict limits, consumers and businesses could face legal constraints on wearing recording-capable wearables in public. Companies selling these devices may need to change features, add safeguards, or include clearer controls and disclosures. Public institutions and private venues may adopt complementary rules restricting device use on their premises.
# Bottom line Norway is preparing targeted regulatory action aimed at camera-equipped wearables and features like facial recognition in public spaces. The government will rely on an expert group to recommend concrete protections for privacy rights before proceeding with specific bans or rules.
ALBAWABA - The Norwegian government is actively considering banning smart glasses and other camera-enabled wearable headsets amid privacy concerns...
Norwegian officials have said the country is planning to regulate the use of smart glasses and similar devices, and was considering a ban on features that enable facial recognition in public spaces.
The red-green coalition in Hamburg and Die Linke want to keep glasses with built-in cameras – so‑called smart glasses – out of certain parts of public life. The aim is above all to better protect people’s privacy from surreptitious photo and video recordings. The proposed ban would apply in all municipal swimming pools
Anyone going to court in England and Wales will be obliged to turn in smart glasses and pick them up when they leave. The ban targets devices such as Meta's and clarifies that existing restrictions on recording devices apply to attire: "There are clear restrictions on taking images or videos within courts and tribunals
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