Norway becomes the first country to propose a temporary ban on AI smart glasses in public spaces

From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026 · last updated 6 October 2026.

Norway's minority Labour government is to introduce legislation banning AI-equipped smart glasses from parks, beaches, museums, gyms, schools and healthcare facilities, citing fears that people are being secretly filmed without their knowledge. Digitalisation Minister Torgeir Micaelsen said he is worried that "people risk being photographed, filmed or audio-recorded without knowing it." The government will also set up an expert group to design permanent national regulations on body-worn technology.

Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses are at the centre of growing European concern over covert recording, particularly in changing rooms and around children.

Norway is NOT proposing a total ban — private use and situations where no one risks being filmed without consent would still be permitted.

Oslo schools and oil giant Equinor have already imposed their own bans; Australia is also considering restricting smart glasses in public spaces.