Dutch Data Protection Authority warns of privacy risks from camera glasses

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) has issued a warning regarding the increasing popularity of camera glasses. As these devices become more common and resemble standard eyewear, it is becoming harder for bystanders to discern if they are being filmed.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals have a right to privacy. Capturing images where people are recognizable constitutes the processing of personal data. While there may be exceptions for purely personal use, the authority emphasizes that privacy rules apply as soon as such footage is shared or published online.

Katja Mur, a board member of the AP, stated that people must be able to walk the streets without fear of being filmed unnoticed and having those images shared on the internet. The authority noted that recording indicator lights on many devices are insufficient to properly inform the public.

The AP recommends that organizations such as hospitals, courts, and religious buildings implement house rules to prohibit the use of camera glasses to ensure individuals can rely on their privacy in those settings. The authority is currently investigating further measures against camera-equipped wearables.