Norway govt considers banning Meta-glasses in selected places

Translation (DeepL):

The Government intends to introduce a temporary ban on AI glasses in selected locations. At the same time, it will set up a group of experts to advise on permanent, national regulations.

– I am concerned about the introduction of new, powerful technology where people risk being photographed, filmed or recorded without their knowledge. We will therefore propose a temporary ban on AI glasses in selected locations. This will give us time to carry out a thorough review and hold an informed debate that can lay a solid foundation for permanent regulation,” says Torgeir Micaelsen (Labour), Minister for Digitalisation and Public Administration.

The temporary ban will prohibit the use of AI glasses in selected locations. It may be appropriate to apply the ban to places where the general public regularly gather, such as parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres and public events. It could also cover places and events for children, such as schools, nurseries, playgrounds and after-school clubs. In addition, it could apply to places where privacy is particularly important, such as healthcare facilities and sports centres with changing rooms and showers. The Government will also consider whether the ban should extend to universities, colleges and other educational institutions.

– We do not want a society where people are worried about covert audio recording, photography and filming in places and situations where they are used to being free from surveillance. Such a society can feel unsafe and cause us to withdraw, says Micaelsen.

The Government does not intend to impose a total ban on AI glasses and other wearable technology. Such technology should still be permitted in certain places, as well as for purely private use – for example, when moving about in places where there is no risk of filming or photographing other people without their consent.

Work on a temporary ban on AI glasses is a high priority, and the Government will return to the Storting with a bill as soon as practicable. In parallel with this, an expert group will be set up to examine permanent national regulation of wearable technology.

Facts

- The Government has announced that, as soon as practicable, it will return to the Storting with a proposal for a temporary ban on AI glasses.

- Further consideration will be given to which technology the ban should cover, for example whether the ban should apply to glasses with cameras and audio recording, to glasses with cameras and AI functionality, or whether it should also apply to other wearable technology with cameras, audio recording and/or AI.

- The temporary ban will prohibit the use of AI glasses in selected locations. It may be appropriate to apply the ban to places where the general public regularly gather. These could include, for example, parks, beaches, museums, playgrounds, amusement parks, and sporting, musical and cultural events.

- Children are entitled to special protection. It is therefore appropriate to extend the ban to include schools, nurseries and other places where children are particularly likely to be present. It may also be appropriate to include higher education institutions.

- In addition, it may be appropriate to extend the ban to places where privacy is particularly important, such as healthcare facilities (including doctors’ surgeries), swimming pools, gyms and other venues with changing rooms and shower facilities.

- Exceptions to the ban will be permitted so that vulnerable groups can be exempted and to allow for socially beneficial use in limited circumstances.

- The Government will also appoint a group of experts to carry out a thorough review of the challenges associated with wearable technology and to advise on long-term regulation.