The UK government is weighing restrictions on smart glasses in certain settings and limits on sales to certain users, following concerns about covert filming of women and girls.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
The UK government is considering restrictions on smart glasses amid concerns the devices are being used to secretly film women and girls, the safeguarding minister, Satvir Kaur, said in the House of Commons.
Kaur said the government is looking into options to restrict smart glasses in certain settings and to restrict their sale to certain users. She said people who use smart glasses for filming already risk breaking the law in certain settings, such as courts where cameras are prohibited. NHS England and the Department for Education are examining wearable technology in certain settings.
"The benefits of smart glasses must be weighed against the harms they can cause," Kaur said.
Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine, who held the debate, said women are reporting waking up after nights out to find videos of themselves have gone viral online, filmed without their knowledge or consent by men wearing smart glasses. She said one selling point in advertisements was that the glasses could be used "to film discreetly".
"To me, these devices not only have the potential to erode safety and privacy in public spaces, but raise really important questions about consent," Sabine said.
A Meta spokesperson said people use the glasses for listening to music, live translation and hands-free calls, and that every pair with a camera has a bright light on the front that blinks when a photo or video is taken. The light cannot be turned off, and the camera is disabled if someone covers or tampers with it.
Kaur said smart glasses can be hugely beneficial, for example for people who are visually impaired, calling them a gamechanger for navigating the world.
The debate follows reports of covert filming and online sharing of footage, and comes as lawmakers warn that current harassment law may not adequately address the issue.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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