Oslo bans smart glasses in all schools to protect student privacy

The municipality of Oslo has implemented a total ban on smart glasses in all schools, covering all educational levels throughout the school day. The decision aims to protect the privacy of students and teachers from covert data collection.

Julie Remen Midtgarden, the Deputy Mayor for Education, criticized the business model of tech giants like Meta, stating that it is impossible for others to know when they are being recorded. She emphasized that the city will not allow children to become ‘silent extras in Meta’s data collection.’

The ban, which was backdated to August 27 but delayed in announcement due to a period of political mourning following the death of King Harald V, addresses concerns regarding devices capable of recording video, taking photos, and utilizing AI assistants. While the Norwegian government is considering restrictions on facial recognition features, local officials in Oslo argue that immediate action was necessary as these devices are already in use within Norwegian schools.