The European Data Protection Board issued a non-binding recommendation addressing privacy concerns surrounding smart glasses technology. The advisory calls for manufacturers to implement clear, visible indicators when devices are actively recording, such as bright LED lights, audio signals, voice activation cues, or privacy-friendly smartphone notifications. The board emphasized that these warning systems must be reliable, difficult to overlook, and continuously maintained.
Chair Anu Talus stated that bystanders in public spaces should have clear understanding when they are being filmed or photographed, even in outdoor settings. The EDPB highlighted particular risks in sensitive environments including schools, hospitals, and beaches, noting that children face heightened vulnerability to undisclosed or invasive collection of personal data through these devices.
The recommendation reflects escalating regulatory concerns across European nations. Norway’s government announced plans to pursue a temporary ban on smart glasses use in certain public locations, with Oslo already implementing restrictions in schools. French authorities opened a criminal investigation following complaints about smart glasses being used to record women on streets without consent, with footage subsequently shared on social media platforms. Meanwhile, advocacy groups in the United Kingdom and Ireland launched campaigns urging retailers to cease sales of camera-equipped glasses, with petition efforts exceeding 10,000 signatures and triggering official government response requirements.
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