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EU Regulator: Smart Glasses Must Warn When Recording
13 Oct
Summary
- EU data regulator demands clear warnings for smart glass recordings.
- Devices can record without user knowledge, raising privacy concerns.
- Backlash grows across Europe, with calls for bans and sales stops.
The European Union's central data regulator has issued guidance requiring smart glasses to provide clear warnings when recording, following significant public outcry. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) highlighted that these devices, often disguised as ordinary glasses, raise serious privacy concerns due to their integrated cameras and microphones. Individuals may be recorded without their knowledge, prompting calls for manufacturers to implement obvious recording indicators such as prominent LED lights or audio signals.
The EDPB's non-binding guidance emphasizes the risks, particularly in sensitive locations like schools and hospitals, and for vulnerable groups like children. While the EU has strict data protection rules, the use of smart glasses for sharing content on social media or professional activities must comply with these regulations. Consumer backlash is escalating across Europe, with Norway considering a temporary ban and campaigns in Britain and Ireland urging stores to cease sales.
