Norway's center-left government has announced plans to introduce a temporary ban on AI glasses in selected public places, citing concerns that people could be photographed, filmed, or recorded without their knowledge. The proposal, which will go before parliament, targets areas such as parks, beaches, schools, and kindergartens. It is the first major national crackdown on the technology, though it stops short of a total ban.
The government said the pause would allow time for a thorough assessment and an informed debate before permanent rules are drafted. Norway's digitalization minister, Torgeir Micaelsen, argued that a society where people worry about hidden recording in familiar settings could feel unsafe. The proposed law is described as a high priority, and an expert group will be set up to recommend long-term regulations.
The move comes as US tech companies including Meta, Google, and OpenAI push smart glasses as a potential replacement for smartphones, with analysts estimating consumers will spend over $1 trillion on wearable devices between 2026 and 2032. Privacy advocates have labeled the devices "pervert technology," and some Norwegian institutions have already acted independently: schools in Oslo and oil giant Equinor have banned them, while courtrooms in several countries have restricted their use. Australia is also weighing restrictions in certain public spaces. The source notes that Norway's government sees appropriate use where there is no risk of filming people without consent. Since this article draws on a single source, no independent comparison{