Governments, courts, and companies worldwide are considering restrictions on smart glasses, citing concerns over potential misuse. The proliferation of smart glasses, such as Ray-Ban from Meta, has raised alarms about capturing secret information or recording individuals without their knowledge. Various countries are taking steps to address these concerns, including reviewing existing regulations and proposing new ones.
In Australia, the federal government announced in September that it is studying a potential ban on smart glasses with cameras in government workplaces due to privacy and security concerns. The Minister for Public Service, Katy Gallagher, requested that the Public Service Commission provide advice on whether to prohibit the use of such glasses and identify necessary exceptions.
In the UK, courts in England and Wales have banned the use of Meta's smart glasses due to restrictions on taking photos and videos inside courtrooms. The UK Cinema Association also reported that cinemas are implementing policies to ban or restrict the use of smart glasses with cameras.
Norway has announced plans to propose a temporary ban on using smart glasses with artificial intelligence in public gathering places, such as parks, beaches, and shopping centers. The capital city, Oslo, had already banned the use of smart glasses in schools in August.
In the United States, the Unified Court System in New York has banned the use of smart glasses in all court facilities, effective July 20. This rule applies to glasses, whether prescription or non-prescription, or devices with cameras, microphones, computers, or other technologies capable of recording video or audio.
The European Union has taken notice of smart glasses, with European data protection authorities and lawmakers scrutinizing the technology. The European Data Protection Board has been tasked with preparing a report on the societal acceptance of smart glasses. A member of the European Parliament, Veronika Sifurova Ostrihonova, has urged the European Commission to consider potential actions.
The increasing scrutiny of smart glasses reflects growing concerns about data protection and individual privacy. As the technology continues to evolve, governments and regulatory bodies will likely continue to assess and adapt their approaches to address these concerns. Key stakeholders, including Meta and other manufacturers of smart glasses, will likely be involved in these discussions.
Key points
- Governments and courts are considering restrictions on smart glasses due to concerns over potential misuse and data protection.
- Countries taking steps to address concerns include Australia, the UK, Norway, and the United States.
- The European Union is also scrutinizing smart glasses, with data protection authorities and lawmakers evaluating the technology.
