Countries weigh banning smart glasses over privacy concerns
Governments, courts and companies are considering restrictions and examining existing rules on smart glasses amid worries that the technology, brought to mainstream by Meta’s Ray-Bans, could be used to photograph, film or audio-record confidential materials or people without their knowledge.
Governments, courts and businesses are assessing rules and potential bans on smart glasses as concerns grow over privacy risks, as reported by various sources.
In Australia, the federal government is contemplating prohibiting the use of camera-equipped smart glasses in government offices due to privacy and security worries, according to a report in the New Straits Times.
British courts have already barred the use of Meta smart glasses within courtrooms because of restrictions on capturing images and videos, reported the UK Cinema Association.
The European Union has also turned its attention to smart glasses, with the European Data Protection Board conducting a study on their social acceptability, as noted by Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, a member of the European Parliament.
Norway intends to introduce a temporary prohibition on AI glasses in public gathering spots like parks, beaches, museums, shopping centers, and public events, as reported by the Norwegian government. Oslo, the capital city, banned smart glasses in schools in August.
New York's Unified Court System enforced a ban on smart glasses in all court facilities since July 20, 2023. This regulation extends to both prescription and non-prescription eyewear or headwear containing cameras, microphones, computers, or other devices capable of recording video or audio, according to the New Straits Times.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
