Smart Glasses Face Privacy Crackdown as Governments Warn About Hidden Recording

Smart glasses are facing growing scrutiny over privacy risks. Australia is considering banning the devices in certain public spaces, while courts in several countries have issued bans as wearable technology becomes more common.

Norway Rejects a Total Ban—but Plans New Rules

The Norwegian government said it was not proposing a total ban on smart glasses. Officials said the technology could be used appropriately as long as there was no risk of filming people without their consent.

Michelsen said the proposed ban was a “top priority” and that a bill would soon be introduced in Parliament.

“We don’t want a society where people worry about hidden recordings, photographs and filming in familiar places and situations without being monitored. Such a society can feel unsafe and cause us to become withdrawn,” Michelsen said.

Smart Glasses Could Become a Gateway to AI

US technology companies including Meta, Google and OpenAI believe wearable technology such as smart glasses could eventually replace mobile phones as the primary gateway to artificial intelligence.

They argue that speaking with an AI system that listens to people’s conversations and daily lives could be easier than opening an app and typing a question. Analysts at Counterpoint Research predict that consumers will spend more than $1 trillion on wearable devices between 2026 and 2032.

Privacy Concerns Grow Over Cameras and Microphones

The expected growth of AI-powered wearables has also raised widespread privacy concerns. Critics are questioning what people wearing smart glasses can see and hear—and whether those nearby can know when they are being recorded.

Some activists have gone so far as to call smart glasses “pervert technology,” highlighting fears about hidden photographs, recordings and filming in public and familiar settings.

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