Norway plans a temporary ban on camera-enabled smart glasses in designated public places, joining other European and North American jurisdictions in restricting the devices over privacy and covert recording concerns.
The Oslo government is preparing legislation that would prohibit smart glasses in parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres, schools, daycare centres, healthcare facilities, gyms and public events. Private use of the devices would remain permitted under the proposed measure.
The move reflects broader international scrutiny of AI-enabled recording spectacles. Meta's camera-equipped glasses are already subject to restrictions in the UK and US, according to the Guardian. Norway's approach distinguishes between public venue use and personal ownership, targeting environments where individuals face heightened expectations of privacy or where vulnerable populations gather, such as schools and daycare centres.
The temporary nature of the proposed ban suggests Norwegian authorities may reassess the policy after a defined period, potentially allowing time to develop clearer regulatory frameworks or technological safeguards around smart glasses use.
The proposal positions Norway within a growing regulatory pattern across wealthy democracies attempting to manage the intersection of consumer technology, artificial intelligence and privacy rights. No timeline for the legislative process was provided in the available information.