Norway is considering restrictions, including a possible ban, on smart glasses and other wearable devices equipped with cameras and internet connectivity amid growing concerns over privacy and surveillance.
The devices can capture images and videos, connect to the internet and may increasingly incorporate artificial intelligence-powered features such as facial recognition.
What Has Prompted Norway to Consider Restrictions?
Norway’s Digital Minister Karianne Tung has said the government is examining new regulations to control the use of camera-enabled wearable devices. The proposed measures could cover smart glasses made by companies such as Meta and Snap. Civil liberties and privacy advocates have raised concerns that the technology could allow people to be recorded without their knowledge or consent.
Algoritha Security Launches ‘Make in India’ Cyber Lab for Educational Institutions
Why Is Norway Considering a Ban on Smart Glasses?
The government is concerned that camera-enabled smart glasses can record people discreetly in public places. Unlike smartphones, which are generally visible when someone is taking a photo or recording video, smart glasses can resemble ordinary eyewear and may make it difficult for people nearby to know that they are being recorded.
The concern becomes more serious when cameras are combined with microphones, internet connectivity and artificial intelligence. Such devices could potentially collect, process and transmit personal information in real time, raising questions about consent, surveillance and misuse.
A possible ban or tighter restrictions would therefore be aimed at preventing covert recording, unauthorised facial recognition and continuous monitoring of people in public spaces.
What Privacy Risks Do Camera-Enabled Wearables Create?
According to the government, smart glasses and other camera-enabled wearables present a distinct privacy challenge because they can be used discreetly in public spaces. A person wearing such a device could potentially record photographs or videos of people nearby without making it obvious that a camera is operating.
As the devices are connected to the internet, captured material could also be transmitted to other devices or online services.
Tung said there was a clear trend towards combining artificial intelligence with cameras and microphones embedded in everyday objects. She pointed to glasses, headphones, hats and other wearable items as examples of products where such technology is increasingly being integrated.
Could Facial Recognition Become a Major Concern?
The minister said the government must prevent these devices from being used to monitor other people in public places. Possible regulations could also include restrictions on using facial recognition technology to identify individuals in public spaces.
Technology experts have warned that combining cameras and microphones with artificial intelligence could significantly increase the amount of information such devices can collect and process.
If facial recognition becomes widely available on wearable devices, they could potentially be used to identify people in public places, monitor their movements and gather information about their activities.
How Could Norway Regulate Smart Glasses?
Norway plans to establish a group of experts to advise the government on ways to strengthen privacy protections. The objective is not necessarily to stop the development of wearable technology, but to establish safeguards against the risks that could emerge as such devices become more capable and widely used.
Future rules could establish clearer limits on recording people in public places, using camera-enabled wearables and deploying facial recognition technology.
The proposed restrictions could apply to smart glasses developed by major technology companies, including Meta and Snap, depending on the capabilities of the devices and how they are used.
Why Are Smart Glasses Becoming a Global Privacy Debate?
Technology companies are increasingly positioning smart glasses as a possible alternative or complement to smartphones. These devices are designed to provide hands-free access to digital services while allowing users to interact with technology without constantly using a phone.
However, their growing capabilities have raised difficult questions about how to balance convenience with individual privacy. A person using ordinary-looking glasses may potentially record others without attracting attention, making consent and transparency harder to enforce.
Norway’s move reflects a broader international debate over privacy as artificial intelligence, cameras, microphones and wearable technology become increasingly integrated.
What Should Smart Glasses Users Keep in Mind?
Consumers using camera-enabled wearables should respect local privacy laws, avoid recording people without their knowledge where consent is required, and use facial recognition or similar features cautiously. As governments consider tighter rules, users should also stay aware of changing regulations before using such devices in public spaces.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
