Privacy concerns prompt Norway to consider camera-enabled smart glasses

Norway is considering a ban on smart glasses and other camera-enabled wearable headsets as the government seeks to regulate the controversial technology amid growing privacy concerns.

Digital Minister Karianne Tung said the government is examining regulations governing camera-equipped wearables, as reported by Norwegian media outlets, including devices produced by Meta and Snap.

The devices feature cameras, internet connectivity and, potentially, facial recognition technology, raising concerns among civil liberties advocates who argue that they could infringe on people's privacy. Some critics have dubbed the products “pervert glasses,” contributing to consumer backlash.

Tung said there is a “clear trend toward combining artificial intelligence with cameras and microphones built into glasses, headphones, hats and other objects we use in everyday life.”

“We must prevent this equipment from being used to monitor other people in public places,” Tung said, adding that restrictions could include a ban on using facial recognition to identify other people in public spaces.

The minister also plans to establish an expert group to advise the government on ways to strengthen privacy protections.

Smart glasses such as Meta’s Ray-Ban models, which combine built-in cameras and microphones with AI assistants, have grown increasingly popular as newer designs become less bulky and increasingly difficult to distinguish from conventional eyewear. Meta says it has sold more than 7 million pairs worldwide.

However, the technology is also increasingly being used as a visual aid by people with vision impairments. Some smart glasses offer AI-powered visual description services that can be particularly useful for people with limited vision.

Specialized glasses for blind and low-vision users were available before the latest generation of smart glasses emerged, but their significantly higher cost often meant they were not covered by national disability insurance schemes.

By Nazrin Sadigova