Lok Sabha MPs advised not to use smart gadgets in House

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha Secretariat has issued a bulletin advising MPs to exercise restraint in the use of smart watches, smart spectacles, pen cameras and similar gadgets within the Parliament Estate, citing concerns of privacy, security and parliamentary privilege.

The communication to members notes that a wide range of advanced electronic devices is now easily available, some of which-including smart watches and smart spectacles with inbuilt recording features-can be misused in ways that may compromise the security and privacy of MPs and amount to a breach of privilege.

Members have therefore been requested to refrain from using such devices "in any way that compromises security, privileges and privacy of Members in any part of the Parliament Estate."


Parliamentary proceedings are governed by well-established rules and conventions, under which unauthorised recording or dissemination from within the Houses or other parts of the complex is treated as a serious violation.

The advisory comes against the backdrop of past incidents. During the Monsoon Session in 2023, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rajni Patil was suspended for the remainder of the session after she was found filming proceedings in the Upper House during the Prime Minister's reply. The Chair ruled that the act amounted to a breach of privilege.

In 2016, Bhagwant Mann-then an Aam Aadmi Party MP-faced a breach of privilege motion after he posted a video showing the route from the Parliament entrance to the Lok Sabha chamber, including security arrangements. The matter was later examined by the privileges committee.

Officials said the growing use of wearable or discreet recording devices, ranging from pen cameras to smart spectacles, makes strict adherence to existing norms critical.

The Secretariat's advisory is intended as a reminder to MPs of their responsibility to uphold parliamentary privilege and respect the privacy of fellow members.