Norway Wants a Temporary Ban on AI Glasses in Some Places

So basically: Norway’s government said Monday it will propose a temporary ban on using AI glasses in selected places. The worry is people getting photographed, filmed, or recorded without knowing it. It is a plan for a bill. Nothing is banned yet.

Where it could apply

The press release came from Norway’s Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance on Oct. 5. The minister is Torgeir Micaelsen.

The list is long and still says “could.” Places the public goes all the time: parks, beaches, museums, shopping centers, amusement parks, and sports, music, and culture events.

Places for kids: schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, and youth clubs.

Places where privacy matters more: health facilities, including doctors’ offices, plus pools, gyms, and anywhere with changing rooms and showers.

The government is also weighing universities and colleges.

What it is not

It is not a total ban. The release says the glasses can still be used in some places and for private use.

It is not a sales ban. It is about where you can wear and use them.

There is no date. The government says it will bring a bill to the Storting, Norway’s parliament, as fast as it can.

There is no device list either. The government still has to decide if the ban covers glasses with cameras and audio recording, glasses with cameras and AI, or other body-worn tech with cameras, mics, or AI.

The release says there will be exceptions for vulnerable groups and for useful public purposes in limited cases. It also says an expert group will study permanent rules.

In Micaelsen’s words, translated from Norwegian: he is worried new, powerful tech is showing up where people risk being photographed, filmed, or recorded without knowing it.

My take

Norway is going after where camera glasses get worn, not who sells them. The hard part is the part they haven’t written yet: which devices count. Until that list exists, this is a strong signal, not a rule anyone has to follow.