The Norwegian government intends to ban glasses equipped with artificial intelligence in public places

The Norwegian government announced that it intends to propose a temporary ban on the use of glasses equipped with artificial intelligence in some public places, citing its concern about the possibility of taking pictures, video or audio recordings of individuals without their knowledge.

The proposal reflects a broader global wave of objection to smart glasses equipped with cameras amid privacy concerns.

The government said in a statement that the ban may be applied in usual gathering places such as parks, beaches, museums, shopping centers and public events.

Minister of Digitalization and Public Governance Torgeir Mikaelsen said: “I am concerned that (this) new and highly influential technology is in places where images, video or audio recordings of individuals could be taken without their knowledge.”

This ban may also be applied in schools, playgrounds, and youth clubs, as well as in places that require privacy, such as doctors’ offices, swimming pools, and gyms that contain changing rooms.

The government clarified that it is not seeking to impose a total ban and that it will not include private use in which others are not at risk of being photographed without their consent.

The government said it would study what type of technology would be covered by the ban and whether it would apply to glasses equipped with a camera and audio recorder, glasses equipped with a camera and artificial intelligence functions, or other technological devices that can be used surreptitiously by attaching them to clothing or placing them inside them and are equipped with a camera, audio recorder, or artificial intelligence.

The minority government announced that it will submit a draft law to Parliament as soon as possible and will form a team of experts to advise on developing a permanent national regulation regulating the use of technology that can be used surreptitiously.