Smart glasses were created to offer a remedy for smartphone screen addiction. However, the technology has been misused for unauthorized video recording, earning it the negative moniker "creep glasses" worldwide.
The Norwegian government is now proposing a temporary ban on the use of AI-equipped smart glasses in certain public locations, citing concerns that members of the public could be recorded—via images, video, or audio—without their knowledge.
The proposed ban covers areas such as parks, beaches, shopping malls, and public events. It could also extend to privacy-sensitive locations like schools, playgrounds, youth clubs, clinics, swimming pools, and gymnasiums with changing rooms.
The Norwegian government plans to table a bill in parliament and establish an expert group to study long-term regulations for wearable technology. This is not a blanket ban on AI smart glasses; personal use that poses no risk to the privacy of others remains permitted.
In Malaysia, the issue of banning—or drafting legislation regarding—privacy concerns related to video recording with smart glasses has not yet appeared on the government's radar, as these devices are not yet widely sold. However, Meta has confirmed that its Ray-Ban Meta products and Oakley glasses with built-in cameras are set to officially launch in Malaysia later this year. It is best to be proactive rather than reactive, as privacy issues are currently often underestimated.
