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[TECHNOLOGY] · Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, United States · 7 sources

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Part of situation: Global regulatory pushback over smart glasses privacy (7 clusters)

European regulators demand privacy safeguards for smart glasses

smart glasses data privacy connected eyewear surveillance technology EDPB

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has issued a non-binding opinion calling for strict safeguards on smart glasses to protect privacy. EDPB President Anu Talus emphasized that these devices must clearly signal when they are filming, photographing, or recording audio through methods such as LED lights, acoustic signals, voice commands, or distinctive designs. The regulator expressed concern that these devices can record individuals without their knowledge, posing risks in sensitive environments like schools, hospitals, and workplaces.

Global regulatory and institutional responses to smart eyewear are increasing. In the United Kingdom, courts and cinemas have implemented restrictions on wearing camera-equipped headwear. New York's judicial system has banned the devices in its facilities, and Norway is considering temporary bans in public spaces like parks and museums. Australia is also evaluating potential bans in public offices.

In Switzerland, swimming pool and sauna associations are calling for bans on camera-equipped eyewear in public facilities to protect privacy in changing rooms and aquatic areas. The EDPB also noted that while personal use may fall under domestic exemptions, professional or public use of such devices subjects users to GDPR responsibilities and potential civil or criminal liabilities.

Entities

Anu Talus · European Data Protection Board · Meta · Ray-Ban · Swiss Association of Lifeguards

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The EDPB identifies increased risks in hospitals, schools, and workplaces, particularly concerning children. www.estrepublicain.fr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The EDPB recommends visible signals such as LEDs, sound signals, voice commands, or smartphone notifications to indicate recording. www.estrepublicain.fr · cnil.fr
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Swiss swimming master associations and sauna federations are calling for a ban on smart glasses in pools and saunas to protect privacy. www.lfm.ch
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Users sharing content on public social media or using glasses for professional purposes are considered data controllers under GDPR. cnil.fr

Sources

Australia busca prohibir lentes inteligentes en edificios gubernamentales [televen.com]
Des lunettes qui filment sans prévenir, l’Europe dit stop [lesinguliersete.fr]
Las gafas conectadas deben indicar cuándo graban, reclama el regulador europeo [www.diariolibre.com]
Technologies. Lunettes connectées : le régulateur européen veut qu’elles signalent quand elles filment [www.estrepublicain.fr]
Las Ray-Ban Meta podrían quedar prohibidas en tribunales, cines y escuelas Ensegundos República Dominicana [ensegundos.do]
Lunettes intelligentes mal vues dans les piscines et saunas [www.lfm.ch]
Le CEPD publie une déclaration sur les enjeux de protection des données liés aux lunettes connectées [cnil.fr]