Norway to curb ‘pervert glasses’ and weigh facial ID ban

The Norwegian government has published proposals to ban the sale and use of eyewear and similar wearables designed to record people without their consent and is consulting on restrictions for facial recognition systems in public spaces.

Under the proposals, using devices intended to record others secretly would be made illegal. The plans could also restrict how such glasses and covert recording wearables are marketed and sold in Norway.

Officials opened a public consultation on whether to ban automated facial recognition in public areas or to impose tight conditions on its use. Options under consideration include a broad prohibition on biometric identification in public and narrower rules such as banning real-time matching of faces against police or private databases without prior judicial or administrative authorization.

The government said the measures aim to strengthen personal privacy and address growing concern over small, easy-to-hide cameras in eyewear and advances in biometric identification. Incidents cited by authorities include secret filming in changing rooms, at festivals and on public transport.

Norway intends to coordinate the policy work with the national data protection authority, the police and consumer protection agencies. A consultation period will collect input from civil society, industry and law enforcement before the government prepares final legislation. Any new criminal rules or bans would need to align with existing privacy and criminal law and with Norway’s international obligations, officials noted.

If limits on facial recognition proceed, lawmakers could set a range of rules from near-total bans in public spaces to specific exceptions for narrowly defined uses. Possible carve-outs discussed include narrowly controlled police operations with prior authorization and conditions to protect fundamental rights.

Privacy advocates welcomed measures focused on hidden cameras and biometric systems, saying clearer rules are needed given the availability of high-resolution cameras and matching algorithms. Business organizations warned that a broad prohibition could affect legitimate functions such as locating missing people or preventing crime and urged clearly defined exceptions and safeguards for proportionate uses by authorities.

The government’s consultation follows similar debates abroad, where several jurisdictions have introduced partial bans or strict oversight of facial recognition and related technologies. Norwegian lawmakers will review consultation responses before any proposal goes to parliament for approval and legal review.