OSLO — The Norwegian government plans to introduce a bill for a temporary ban on the use of smart glasses in selected public places. The proposed legislation aims to address privacy concerns arising from wearable camera technology.

The proposed ban would apply to parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres, schools, daycare centres, healthcare facilities, gyms, and public events. Private use of smart glasses would remain permitted under the proposed legislation. The Norwegian government plans to submit the bill to parliament as soon as possible.

Torgeir Micaelsen, Norway’s minister of digital affairs, said he was “worried that new, powerful technology is being introduced where people risk being photographed, filmed or audio-recorded without knowing it”. He stated that the government does not want a society where individuals worry about surveillance in spaces where they expect privacy. "We do not want a society where people worry about being recorded without their knowledge, photographed or filmed in places and situations where they are accustomed to not being monitored," Micaelsen said.

He said a temporary ban “will give us time to conduct a thorough assessment and hold an informed debate that can lay the foundation for permanent regulation.” The Norwegian government has tasked an expert group with drawing up permanent regulations on the use of smart glasses. The government is also considering exceptions to the ban for vulnerable groups to allow socially beneficial uses of smart glasses.

Norway’s Labour party heads a minority government and requires the support of other parties to pass the proposed ban. Domestic institutions have already moved to restrict the devices. Schools in Oslo have banned the use of smart glasses. Equinor has banned the use of smart glasses from its offices and offshore facilities.

Meta sells smart versions of Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses that allow users to film, take photos, make phone calls, play music, and execute AI prompts. Meta has sold at least 9 million pairs of Ray-Ban smart glasses since the start of 2023. A Meta spokesperson said: “We’re excited that our glasses continue to be very popular for listening to music, making calls, or getting live translations, so we’re continuing to expand styles and features around the world.”

A Meta spokesperson said: “Every pair with a camera has a bright light on the front that blinks when you take a photo or video.” The company states that each pair of glasses is fitted with a tamper-proof LED light that blinks white when the user is recording or taking pictures. A Meta spokesperson said: “It can’t be turned off and the camera is disabled if someone covers or tampers with it -- something smartphones and other camera’s don’t have.” Meta states that the camera is disabled if someone covers or tampers with the LED light. Meta advises users: “Not everyone loves being photographed. Stop recording if anyone expresses that they would rather you not.”

Meta has distributed 15,000 AI-enabled Ray-Ban glasses to blind adults in Ireland as part of a pilot program to assist with navigation and object recognition. International responses to the technology have varied. In France, the child welfare group E-enfance received about 20 reports this year of women being filmed without their knowledge using camera-equipped glasses, the majority of which involved Meta smart glasses. E-enfance stated that the reported incidents often followed a pattern where a young girl or woman was approached in a public place, filmed without knowledge, and the clip was posted on social media as a prank or street interview.

UK restaurateur Jeremy King stated he does not want customers using smart glasses in his restaurants, including the Wolseley and Delaunay. Pub chain Wetherspoons stated it does not want customers using smart glasses in its establishments. UK cinemas began introducing policies in August to ban or restrict the use of smart glasses, citing privacy and film piracy concerns. Hans Anders, an eyewear retailer in the Netherlands, suspended sales of Ray-Ban Meta glasses.

In the United States, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation last week that would have penalized citizens for using smart glasses to record people without their permission in changing rooms, doctors’ offices, and other private spaces. California already has laws governing unlawful recording. California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill in 2026 that would have criminalized the use of smart glasses to record individuals without consent in private spaces, stating that existing laws were sufficient to address privacy concerns.

Why It Matters

The Norwegian proposal reflects a growing global debate over the balance between technological innovation and personal privacy in public spaces. With Meta selling millions of units and businesses across Europe implementing their own bans, the lack of uniform regulation has led to a patchwork of restrictions. The Norwegian government's approach seeks to pause widespread public use while experts determine long-term rules, acknowledging both the privacy risks and the potential benefits for vulnerable groups.