The UK government is considering restrictions on smart glasses after concerns they are being used to secretly film women and girls, a minister said in parliament.
The UK government is considering restrictions on smart glasses amid concerns the technology is being used to secretly film women and girls, the safeguarding minister said in the House of Commons.
Satvir Kaur, the safeguarding minister, said the government is already looking into options to restrict smart glasses in certain settings and restricting the sale to certain users.
"The benefits of smart glasses must be weighed against the harms they can cause. The government is already looking into options to restrict smart glasses in certain settings and restricting the sale to certain users," Kaur said.
She said people who use smart glasses for filming already risk breaking the law in certain settings, such as in a court where cameras are prohibited. She added that NHS England and the Department for Education are currently looking into wearable technology in certain settings.
The debate was introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine, who 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.
"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," Sabine said.
She said one of the selling points of the glasses in advertisements was that they could be used "to film discreetly" and said she did not want parliamentarians to "only regulate once it is too late."
A Meta spokesperson said people use the glasses because they are helpful and let them stay in the moment, from listening to music to live translation or hands-free calls.
"People use our glasses because they’re helpful and let them stay in the moment, from listening to music to live translation or hands-free calls. They were built to be noticed, which is why every pair with a camera has a bright light on the front that blinks when you take a photo or video. It cannot be turned off and the camera is disabled if someone covers or tampers with it," the spokesperson said.
Kaur said smart glasses could be hugely beneficial to some people, such as those who are visually impaired, and described them as a gamechanger for helping people navigate the world around them.
The debate follows reports of women and girls being filmed without consent and the footage being posted online. The government has not announced a timeline for any restrictions.
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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The government is exploring limits on where smart glasses can be used and who can buy them after reports of women being filmed without consent.
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