According to a report by Reuters on October 5, the Norwegian government stated that it plans to propose a temporary ban on the use of AI glasses in certain places. The proposal is aimed at addressing a concern: people might be photographed, filmed, or recorded without their knowledge. Reuters noted that this proposal reflects a growing global concern about privacy issues, leading to increasing resistance to smart glasses equipped with cameras.
Norwegian Minister of Digitalization and Public Governance, Torgo Mikelson, said: "I am concerned that powerful new technologies are being introduced, and people may be photographed, filmed, or recorded without their knowledge."
It is reported that this ban may apply to places where people gather frequently, such as parks, beaches, museums, shopping centers, and public events. Additionally, the ban may also apply to schools, playgrounds, and youth clubs, as well as private sensitive places like clinics, swimming pools, and gyms with changing rooms. The Norwegian government stated that it does not intend to impose a complete ban; private use will still be allowed.
The Norwegian government stated that it will review which technologies the ban should cover, including whether the ban applies to glasses with recording capabilities, glasses with AI functions, or other wearable technologies equipped with cameras, recording devices, and/or AI capabilities.
Previously, on October 2nd, Hans Anders, one of the largest eyeglass retail chains in the Netherlands, announced that it had suspended the sale of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium due to increasing concerns about privacy. This is one of the first such actions taken by retailers.
A spokesperson for Hans Anders said: 'We made this decision because the public and political debates surrounding smart glasses continue, and people are questioning under what conditions such technologies can be used.'
