Putting the 'ban' in Meta Ray-Ban: the UK mulls restrictions on smart glasses
After Australia expanded its smart glasses restrictions earlier this year, it could soon be the UK's turn.
The UK is contemplating restrictions on the use and sale of smart glasses, with Safeguarding Minister Satvir Kaur stating that the government is exploring options to curb smart glasses in specific environments and to limit their sale to certain users. Concerns have arisen over the covert filming of women and girls using smart glasses.
Australia has already banned the technology in public areas such as swimming pools, gyms, and government buildings, leading the UK to consider similar measures. Smart glasses have earned the nickname "pervert glasses" due to men secretly filming women and girls, often posting the recordings online. Some businesses, like the British Wetherspoons pub chain, have already banned the devices.
Kaur emphasized that the benefits of smart glasses must be balanced against the potential harms they can cause. Existing safeguarding and professional policies in healthcare and education may also apply to smart glasses and digital recording devices. While smart glasses can be beneficial for the visually or hearing-impaired, they also raise significant privacy and consent issues.
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