Norway mulling temporary ban on smart AI glasses. Here's all we know

Amid concerns over privacy breaches, Norway is mulling a temporary ban on smart AI glasses. The Norwegian government has proposed that the Parliament can enact the temporary ban on the AI glasses before a final decision, the Associated Press reported. The temporary ban could apply to places where “privacy is particularly important,” like healthcare facilities, or fitness centers with changing rooms and showers. A major focus is spaces where children congregate, such as schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and youth clubs. But it could also extend to public concerts and sporting events, as well as parks, beaches, museums and shopping centers.

Norway is not alone. There are growing concerns in many other countries over smart glasses which are fundamentally changing the way people live. Some governments have banned the use of social media by children and young teens.

California's governor last week vetoed legislation that would have penalized the use of smart glasses to record people without their permission in places like changing rooms, doctor’s offices and other spaces people generally consider private.


And Microsoft last month announced plans to adopt guardrails and privacy standards for its AI in schools, as negotiated with the second-largest teachers union in the United States.

Torgeir Micaelsen, the Norwegian minister of digitalization and public governance, expressed concerns about the emergence of new technology that could photograph, film or record the audio of people without their knowledge.

The temporary ban would give authorities time to look more deeply into the matter, decide what types of devices might be affected, and hold an “informed debate” that could lead to permanent regulation, Micaelsen was quoted as saying by AP.

The government was quick to note that it was not proposing a total ban on AI glasses or other “wearable technology,” adding that such devices should still be allowed in some places and for private use.

The government also said it was considering exceptions to the ban for vulnerable groups, so that “socially beneficial uses” of smart glasses could be permitted in some circumstances.