Norwegian government plans temporary ban on AI smart glasses in some public places

Norwegian Minister of Digitalisation and Public Administration Torgeir Micaelsen announced that the government will push for a temporary ban on smart glasses with cameras, microphones and AI in certain locations, citing the risk that the public could be photographed or recorded without their knowledge. Locations proposed for the ban include parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres, playgrounds, schools, kindergartens, venues for children's activities, healthcare facilities, and fitness facilities with changing rooms and showers, with consideration of whether universities should also be covered. The ban is a temporary measure; the government will set up an expert panel to make recommendations on long-term national regulation and will submit a bill to parliament as soon as possible. Exemptions will be made for vulnerable groups and specific public-interest uses. Previously, several political parties, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, and companies such as DNB and Equinor had called for or themselves restricted the use of such glasses.