Norway plans temporary ban on AI glasses in parks, schools and gyms

Norway’s government plans to ban the use of AI glasses in selected public places for a limited time and announced the plan today, saying that people could be filmed or recorded without their knowledge.

The ban could cover places where the public often gathers, such as parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres and public events.

Moreover, it could also apply to schools, playgrounds, youth clubs, doctors’ offices, swimming pools and gyms with changing rooms.

“I am worried that new, powerful technology is being introduced where people risk being photographed, filmed or audio-recorded without knowing it,” said Torgeir Micaelsen, Norway’s digitalisation minister.

However, the government said it is not planning a total ban. Private use, and use where others are not at risk of being filmed without consent, would still be allowed, and the government will also consider whether universities and colleges should be covered.

The government has not yet decided which devices the ban would cover. It could cover glasses with a camera and microphone, glasses with a camera and AI features, or other body-worn tech that can do the same.

The minority government will put a bill to parliament as soon as possible. It will also set up a group of experts to advise on lasting rules for such devices.

Torgeir Micaelsen became Norway’s digitalisation minister about four weeks ago. His predecessor, Karianne Tung, had not backed a ban, Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 reported.

Pressure on camera glasses is growing elsewhere in Europe too. Last week, Dutch eyewear chain Hans Anders stopped selling Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Earlier, several UK venues began banning Meta’s Ray-Bans, and New York barred smart glasses from its courtrooms.