Norway Considers Banning Facial Recognition on Smart Glasses in Public Spaces

Norway's Digitalisation Minister Karianne Tung announced plans to tighten regulations on smart glasses, including a potential ban on facial recognition features in public spaces. The government also plans to establish an expert panel to assess the risks of emerging technologies combining cameras, microphones, and AI. As tech giants like Meta prepare to integrate facial recognition into wearable devices, this regulatory move highlights growing global concerns over public surveillance and consent. It could set a precedent for how European nations regulate AI-powered consumer wearables to protect individual privacy. While the ban targets facial recognition, consumer advocates warn that it will not fully prevent unauthorized recording or photography by smart glasses users. The Norwegian Consumer Council has even urged retailers to temporarily halt sales of these devices until clear legal frameworks are established.