EU regulators demand smart glasses signal when recording

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 20:32 · Archive

Europe's privacy regulators have called for smart glasses to include flashing lights, audio alerts and notifications to warn people when they are being filmed.

The European Data Protection Board, made up of national privacy regulators across Europe, issued recommendations on Tuesday about how smart glasses should alert people that they are filming. The measures may include bright LED lights, audio signals, voice activation cues, privacy-friendly smartphone notifications or unique designs to help people spot the devices. EDPB chair Anu Talus said these warnings need to be reliable, hard to ignore and always up to date.

The recommendations are non-binding but will guide how privacy regulators assess whether smart glasses users and manufacturers comply with EU privacy rules including the General Data Protection Regulation. Privacy concerns have multiplied since videos made with smart glasses have spread online without the knowledge or consent of those being filmed. The devices raise particular risks in sensitive spaces like schools and hospitals, and in public places like beaches, with children identified as more vulnerable to covert recording.

The advisory comes as several European countries consider restrictions on smart glasses. Norway's government said last week it was worried about privacy invasions and wants a temporary ban on use in certain public places, with Oslo already banning camera-equipped glasses in schools. France's e-Enfance association, which operates the national hotline for online abuse victims, has also raised alarm about videos recorded with camera-equipped glasses and shared online.

How it is being reported

• EU watchdog urges smart glasses to clearly signal when recordingAdvisory comes amid growing concern about the devices being used to secretly record girls and women.Al Jazeera · 13 Oct, 20:11
• Lights, bells and liability: Europe’s privacy regulators crack down on smart glassesSmart glasses firms could be forced to build in flashing lights, audio alerts to abide by EU privacy law.Politico Europe · 13 Oct, 15:34

In this story: European Data Protection Board · Anu Talus · European Union · Norway · Oslo · France

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