Norway is evaluating a potential prohibition on smart glasses and similar camera-integrated wearable devices as authorities look to address growing privacy anxieties surrounding the controversial technology.
According to the AFP news agency, Norwegian Digital Minister Karianne Tung stated that the administration is preparing to oversee and restrict camera-equipped gadgets produced by companies like Meta and Snap. Because these internet-connected wearables feature built-in lenses and could soon incorporate facial recognition capabilities, they have sparked severe criticism from privacy advocates who argue the products violate personal boundaries. Certain critics have labeled the gadgets “pervert glasses,” driving a wave of public resistance.
Tung pointed out that Norway is witnessing a “distinct movement toward merging artificial intelligence with cameras and microphones embedded into everyday items like eyewear, headphones, and headwear.”
“We need to ensure these tools are not leveraged to keep tabs on individuals in communal spaces,” Tung remarked, noting that the initiative might involve outlawing the unauthorized facial scanning of citizens in public domains.
To tackle the issue, Tung intends to establish a specialized advisory panel to guide the administration on strengthening personal privacy protections.