EU watchdog urges smart glasses to clearly signal when recording | Regulation News
EU Data Watchdog Calls for Clear Warnings on Recording Smart Glasses
Published on Oct. 13, 2026
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has recommended that manufacturers of smart glasses implement clear indicators signaling when the devices are recording. This advisory comes amid rising concerns about the use of such technologies to secretly capture footage of girls and women without their consent.
In a non-binding recommendation issued on Tuesday, the EDPB highlighted the need for transparency regarding personal privacy. Anu Talus, chair of the EDPB, emphasized that bystanders must be aware when they are being photographed or filmed. She stated the introduction of alerts such as bright LED lights, audio signals, or notifications to smartphones could effectively inform individuals of recording activity.
Talus stressed that these indicators must be visible, substantial, and consistently updated. “Even in public spaces, bystanders should clearly understand when someone is using a device to film or photograph them,” she said.
The EDPB underscored that smart glasses, which can resemble ordinary eyewear while also possessing capabilities to take photos, videos, and make phone calls, pose significant privacy risks, particularly in sensitive environments like schools and hospitals. The board also raised alarms regarding children’s safety, noting their vulnerability to covert data collection.
The recommendation reflects increasing scrutiny in various European nations concerning the use of smart glasses. Last week, Norway’s government announced plans for a temporary ban on the devices in specific public locations due to privacy concerns. In Oslo, authorities have already prohibited camera-equipped glasses from being used in schools.
In France, the e-Enfance association, which provides support for victims of online abuse, has expressed apprehension over videos captured using smart glasses and subsequently shared on the internet. Last month, French officials launched a criminal investigation following reports of sexual harassment tied to a trend of filming women in public without their consent.
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, a campaign called “Stop Smart Glasses” has garnered over 10,000 signatures on a petition urging retailers to halt sales of these devices, prompting the UK government to respond.
