The European Union's data watchdog has issued guidance recommending that smart glasses clearly signal when they are recording, responding to a growing public outcry over covert filming, particularly involving women and children.
- Smart glasses must give visible or audible recording notifications.
- Concerns increase over hidden recording in sensitive places like schools.
- Calls for bans and tighter regulations emerge across Europe.
What happened
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) released non-binding guidance urging smart glasses manufacturers to design devices that provide clear warnings when recording. This move follows public backlash over incidents where girls and women were secretly filmed using such devices. The regulator emphasized the need for reliable, hard-to-ignore alerts such as bright LEDs, audio signals, or smartphone notifications.
Smart glasses combine ordinary eyewear with internet-connected cameras and microphones, enabling users to take photos, record videos, make calls, or interact with AI assistants discreetly. The EDPB chair highlighted that these devices create privacy risks since people nearby may be recorded without their consent or knowledge.
Why it matters
The integration of recording technology into everyday glasses raises significant data protection and privacy concerns, especially regarding covert surveillance in public and private spaces. The EDPB stressed that such risks are heightened in sensitive environments such as schools, hospitals, and public beaches, as well as for vulnerable groups like children who are more susceptible to intrusive data collection.
Given the EU's stringent data privacy regulations, including rules around how personal data is processed and shared, the guidance seeks to ensure that the use of smart glasses complies with these frameworks, particularly when content is posted on public platforms or used professionally.
What to watch next
In response to privacy concerns, some European governments have taken proactive steps, with Norway proposing temporary bans on camera-equipped smart glasses in certain public places and Oslo banning their use in schools. Non-governmental organizations and advocacy campaigns in France, Britain, and Ireland are also mobilizing public opinion to restrict the spread and sale of these devices.
Major tech companies such as Meta, Google, and Snap are accelerating developments in AI-powered smart glasses, making the evolution of regulatory frameworks a critical area to monitor. The prominence of such products in global markets may spur further legislative action within the EU and beyond to balance innovation with privacy protection.