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

Proposed restrictions in public spaces

The Norwegian government plans to introduce legislation to parliament, the Storting, proposing a temporary ban on artificial intelligence smart glasses in several public locations. Digitalisation and Public Governance Minister Torgeir Micaelsen announced that the measure aims to prevent individuals from being photographed, filmed, or audio-recorded without their consent. The proposed ban targets spaces where personal privacy is considered sensitive, such as doctor's offices, healthcare facilities, swimming pools, and fitness centres with changing rooms and showers, alongside settings where children gather, including schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, and youth clubs.

Authorities are also evaluating whether to extend restrictions to universities, colleges, public concerts, sporting events, beaches, museums, and shopping centres. The government noted that the policy is not a total prohibition on wearable technology, confirming that private use will remain permitted in settings where there is no risk of recording others without consent, with potential exemptions under review for vulnerable groups.

We do not want a society where people are concerned about hidden audio recordings, photography and filming in places and situations where they are used to being without being monitored. Such a society can be experienced as unsafe and cause us to withdraw.

Legislative pathway and expert advisory panel

The minority Labour government requires parliamentary support from other political parties to enact the bill, which it intends to submit as soon as possible. Alongside the temporary measure, the government is appointing an expert advisory group to evaluate the hardware and propose permanent national regulations. The review will examine whether rules should cover glasses fitted with cameras and microphones, glasses featuring integrated AI capabilities, or broader body-worn devices capable of concealed recording when attached to clothing.

Micaelsen took office as digitalisation minister approximately four weeks ago, succeeding Karianne Tung, who had not supported a ban on the devices.

I am concerned about the introduction of powerful new technology where people risk being photographed, filmed or recorded without their knowledge.

Pre-existing bans and corporate decisions

Ahead of national legislation, individual Norwegian institutions have enacted localized restrictions. Oil and gas company Equinor prohibited smart glasses across its administrative offices and offshore installations, while municipal officials in Oslo barred camera-equipped glasses from local schools. Similar restrictions have emerged across Europe and North America, including bans in United Kingdom venues, New York courtrooms, and a ban introduced one year ago at the TivoliVredenburg music venue in Utrecht.

Commercial availability has also faced pushback. Optical retail chain Hans Anders stopped selling Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses across its stores in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the Netherlands, the Data Protection Authority warned that consumers frequently violate privacy rules and noted that technology providers use recorded footage to train AI models.

Diverging international regulatory responses

European and American authorities are pursuing contrasting approaches to wearable camera technology. In France, the Paris public prosecutor opened multiple investigations after child-protection group e-Enfance logged around 20 reports of women recorded without consent using Meta glasses, leading to videos shared online alongside hostile commentary. In Australia, government authorities are examining public-space restrictions, while municipal councils have introduced bans in public pools and dressing rooms.

In the United States, regulatory initiatives have faced pushback. California's governor vetoed legislation that would have penalized using smart glasses to record people in changing rooms and medical offices without consent. Meanwhile, Microsoft reached an agreement with the second-largest US teachers union last month to establish AI privacy standards and guardrails in schools.