Norway Mulls Ban on Camera-Enabled Smart Glasses Over Privacy Fears

Norway’s government is evaluating a blanket prohibition on smart glasses and other wearable headsets that incorporate cameras and internet connectivity. The proposal would target devices capable of facial-recognition functions in public spaces, a move that could affect products from Meta Platforms and Snap Inc. The discussion centers on preventing real-time recording and biometric analysis without consent.

Norway Proposes Ban on Camera-Equipped Smart Glasses Over Privacy

Civil-liberties advocates argue that such wearables, sometimes derisively called “pervert glasses,” enable covert monitoring and threaten public privacy. The Norwegian Consumer Council has warned that unrestricted deployment could normalize unauthorized data collection, prompting calls for immediate regulatory action.

Norway Proposes Ban on Camera-Equipped Smart Glasses Over Privacy

In an interview cited by AFP, Tung said the government must stop equipment from being used to monitor people in public places. She announced the formation of an expert task force to advise on privacy protections and to draft a legal framework that could restrict facial-recognition capabilities or ban the devices outright. The ministry’s stated goal is to safeguard citizens’ rights as AI-integrated wearables become more prevalent.

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The Norwegian Consumer Council has urged retailers to halt sales of camera-enabled glasses until clear regulations are established, creating immediate market friction for the targeted products. Analysts note that the proposal introduces a regulatory hurdle for Meta and Snap, whose wearable hardware lines are expanding in Europe. Even if a full ban is not enacted, any requirement to disable facial-recognition or real-time recording could diminish the appeal and sales prospects of these devices across the region.

Norway Proposes Ban on Camera-Equipped Smart Glasses Over Privacy

The expert panel’s recommendations are expected to be released later this year, after which the government may introduce legislation. Observers will watch whether Norway’s approach influences broader European Union policy on AI-driven wearables and biometric data.

Norway Proposes Ban on Camera-Equipped Smart Glasses Over Privacy

• “We must prevent this equipment from being used to monitor other people in public places,” — Karianne Tung, country’s digital minister

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