AI glasses face their first major government crackdown

Norway’s government has signalled it will seek temporary rules to govern smart glasses that can record people nearby while it prepares longer-term legislation. Officials emphasised they do not intend to impose an outright prohibition, instead aiming to restrict usage to contexts where there is no risk of capturing others without consent. The measures have been described by authorities as a "high priority," with a draft bill expected to reach parliament soon. The announcement follows a wave of responses worldwide to wearable cameras and microphones. Australia is reportedly weighing bans on smart glasses in select public settings, and several national court systems already bar the devices in courtrooms. Campaigners have raised privacy alarms about the potential for covert recording, and some critics have labelled the devices "pervert technology." Major US technology firms including Meta, Google and OpenAI have promoted wearable devices as possible successors to smartphones, arguing that voice-driven interactions with AI—potentially enabled by devices that continuously listen—could become the primary interface. Industry analysts at Counterpoint Research estimate consumers may spend more than $1 trillion on wearable devices between 2026 and 2032, a projection that underscores both commercial interest and the scale of the regulatory challenge. Norway’s comments reflect a broader policy dilemma: balancing innovation and new consumer services against privacy and public order concerns. Government statements referenced the social costs of pervasive monitoring, warning that people who feel constantly recorded may experience reduced feelings of safety and withdraw from public life. The draft law will be watched for how it defines permissible uses and enforcement mechanisms as other countries also consider restrictions.