Norway is moving to tighten regulations on smart glasses, focusing on restricting functions like facial recognition in public spaces. The government announced on August 25 that it will establish an expert group to study how to regulate smart glasses and similar devices. Digitalisation and Public Governance Minister Karianne Tung said the government is also encouraging organizations to set their own rules for device use at workplaces and other premises, according to medianama.com.
The Norwegian Data Protection Authority, Datatilsynet, formally requested the government on August 12 to urgently evaluate the need for specific regulations on smart glasses. The regulator proposed measures including restricting where the devices can be used, such as bans in schools and kindergartens, limiting sales or purchases, and imposing requirements on intrusive functions like biometric identification and profiling. The government is considering these targeted restrictions rather than an outright ban, as reported by medianama.com.
The move reflects growing privacy concerns linked to smart glasses, which can capture and analyze data in real time, raising issues about consent and surveillance. Norway’s approach aligns with broader European efforts to regulate emerging technologies that impact personal privacy. The focus on restricting specific functions rather than banning devices mirrors regulatory trends seen in other jurisdictions addressing facial recognition and biometric data use, medianama.com states.
The expert group tasked with examining smart glasses regulation is expected to provide recommendations soon. Meanwhile, organizations in Norway are being urged to develop their own policies on smart glasses use, marking a step toward more comprehensive privacy safeguards for wearable technology, according to medianama.com.