Norway weighs smart glasses crackdown and facial recognition ban

Norway is considering stricter regulations for smart glasses and camera-enabled wearables to address growing privacy and surveillance concerns. Digitalisation Minister Karianne Tung announced plans to appoint an expert group to advise the government on consumer protections and potential bans on facial recognition technology in public spaces.

The move follows reports of misuse, including instances where individuals were filmed without consent. The Norwegian Consumer Council has urged retailers to halt sales of these devices until legal clarity is established.

In response to privacy challenges, Meta has implemented software updates for its AI-powered glasses. The company announced that it will now automatically disable camera functions if the device detects physical tampering with the integrated LED recording indicator. Meta reported that this enforcement action has affected less than 0.1% of its sold units, following efforts to prevent users from bypassing visual signals intended to alert bystanders of active recording.