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Smart glasses privacy risks prompt EU regulatory action
The rise of smart glasses has prompted warnings regarding privacy and data protection. Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman Anu Talus noted that because these devices are inconspicuous, they allow for recording individuals without their knowledge, a capability that differs significantly from standard smartphones.
Talus stated that continuous, pervasive recording in public spaces could, in certain circumstances, be equated to surveillance. Using smart glasses to record in public and sharing that footage online is subject to data protection regulations, as the process constitutes the handling of personal data. Furthermore, data collected by these devices is frequently transferred to manufacturers for uses such as training artificial intelligence.
The European Data Protection Board, comprising authorities from EU and EEA countries, is currently developing unified guidelines to clarify how privacy laws apply to smart glasses and to ensure consistent enforcement across the European Union. These guidelines are expected to be announced this autumn. Additionally, an expert study regarding the social acceptability of smart glasses has been commissioned, with results expected by the end of summer.
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- [● 3 SOURCES] Data collected by smart glasses often ends up with device manufacturers for purposes such as AI training. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] An expert study on the social acceptability of smart glasses has been commissioned and is expected by the end of summer. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The unified guidelines for smart glasses are expected to be announced during the autumn. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Recording with smart glasses constitutes the processing of personal data. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] The European Data Protection Board is developing a unified guideline for smart glasses to ensure consistent application of privacy rules across the EU. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Recording with smart glasses cannot be directly compared to using a phone because the glasses are inconspicuous and can record people without their knowledge. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi
- [● 3 SOURCES] Continuous, pervasive recording in public places can, in some situations, be equated to surveillance. aamuset.fi · www.iltalehti.fi · www.stara.fi