AndroGuider | One Stop For The Techy You! Norway Considers Banning Camera-Enabled Smart Glasses Over Privacy Risks https://ai4chat-files.s3.amazonaws.com/images/image_1788373571759.jpg TL;DR * Norway's data protection authority, Datatilsynet, is weighing…al and Brilliant Labs, would also be affected.For these companies, Norway is a relatively small market, but the regulatory risk is significant. As a member of the European Economic Area, Norway closely aligns its privacy laws with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. A strong stance from Datatilsynet is likely to be closely watched by the European Data Protection Board and regulators in Sweden, Germany, and France, where similar privacy concerns have been raised.Industry groups have pushed back, arguing that a ban would stifle innovation and punish responsible users for the actions of a few. Meta has previously stated that its glasses include an LED indicator and that it provides user education on responsible use, including asking users to respect local laws and ask for permission before recording people. A Potential Turning Point for Privacy Laws Across EuropeWhether Norway moves forward with a full ban or a more nuanced restriction, the debate signals a broader shift in how Europe intends to handle ambient and wearable AI hardware. As smart glasses become more powerful, adding features like facial recognition, AI-powered live translation, and automatic memory capture, regulators fear that existing GDPR and ePrivacy rules are not sufficient to protect bystanders who never agreed to be recorded.Legal experts say the Norwegian case could become a test for the principle of privacy by default in public spaces. If the country decides that discreet wearable cameras are inherently incompatible with GDPR's requirements for transparent and consensual data collection, other EU regulators could adopt similar interpretations, forcing a fundamental redesign of the next generation of wearable technology.For now, Datatilsynet is in a consultation phase, gathering input from technology companies, civil liberties groups, and the public before issuing a formal recommendation to the government. A decision is expected in the coming months and could determine whether smart glasses remain a niche gadget or face their first major legal roadblock in Europe.