Britain’s government is reviewing smart-glasses rules after lawmakers raised concerns about covert filming, while a minister also cited potential accessibility benefits for people with visual impairments.
The Guardian reported that Safeguarding Minister Satvir Kaur told lawmakers Wednesday, Nov. 4, that officials were considering rules that could affect access to smart glasses as well as their use in certain places. She did not announce a ban, identify potential buyers or venues covered by the review, or set a timetable for a decision.
Kaur said filming with the glasses could break the law in some settings, including courts where cameras are prohibited. She also said NHS England and the Department for Education were reviewing wearable technology in some settings.
The debate was held by Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine, who described concerns from women who later found videos of themselves posted online after nights out. Sabine said the footage had been captured without their knowledge or consent.
Sabine also said advertising promoted the ability to record discreetly. Her concerns focused on the possibility of people being filmed without knowing it, and the effect on women’s safety, privacy and consent.
Kaur cited a different potential use, saying the glasses could benefit people with visual impairments. The debate therefore touched on both accessibility and the risks raised by covert recording.
The Guardian also noted Senedd politician Jason O’Connell’s use of smart glasses with a teleprompter in the debating chamber last month, a prior example of the technology in a legislative setting.
The UK discussion follows privacy scrutiny elsewhere. EconoTimes previously reported on privacy concerns and proposed safeguards for wearable glasses, including a recommendation from the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on recording safeguards and Norway’s preparation of a proposal to ban AI glasses. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner also said the Australian government had proposed restricting smart-glasses use in federal workplaces and public service offices. Those measures vary in scope, from recording safeguards to workplace limits.
