Restrictions on smart glasses are being considered by the government, a minister has said, amid concerns that the technology is being used to surreptitiously film women. Speaking in the House of Commons, the safeguarding minister Satvir Kaur hinted at a ban on selling the technology “to certain users”. Kaur said: “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.” The minister said people who use smart glasses for filming already risk breaking the law in certain settings, such as in a court where cameras are already prohibited. Kaur added: “Other settings, such as healthcare and education, have existing safeguarding or professional policies that are relevant to smart glasses and any kind of digital recording. The MP added: “To me, these devices not only have the potential to erode safety and privacy in public spaces, but raise really important questions about consent.” She said in advertisements, “one of the key selling points was that the glasses could be used to film discreetly”.
Sabine said she did not want parliamentarians to “only regulate once it is too late”. Kaur said smart glasses, which can come with built-in cameras, microphones and displays, “can be hugely beneficial” to some people. Jason O’Connell, a Reform UK MS for Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, read a speech from an in-built autocue feature in his glasses last month.
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