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HOT OFF THE PRESS

WATCH THIS SPACE for burning issues and real-world events!

NEW posts every week on Wednesday related to topics in the Digital Society Guide.

Each post will be available for two months.

HOT OFF THE PRESS - Wed - 07 October, 2026

Burning Issue: Smart glasses in Public Spaces

 The Guardian reports that Norway plans a temporary ban on the use of smart glasses in public places, i.e. parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres, schools, daycare centres, healthcare facilities, gyms and public events. Private use would still be allowed. 

This is in response to privacy issues related to the AI-recording capabilities of smart glasses (video clips, photos and audio recordings). Meta makes some of the popular versions of smart glasses for companies such as Ray-Ban and Oakley. The Meta smart glasses have a bright alert light on the front of the smart glasses that blinks whenever a photo or video is being taken. It cannot be disabled and the camera does not work if the camera is covered up or manipulated in anyway. 

Read the Article: Norway plans temporary ban on smart glasses in some public places

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/05/norway-temporary-ban-smart-glasses-public-places

Conduct Further Inquiries:

  1. There are growing global concerns and measures that have been taken regarding the use of smart glasses in public places. Identify locations, concerns and measures that have been taken that are highlighted in the above article.
  2. It is important to understand the digital technologies and features embedded in smart glasses and how they work. Investigate online, and possibly by visiting a local retail store, one of the popular models of smart glasses. Identify the capabilities of the smart glasses and how they function. Note the data collection and data transfer capabilities. What other functions do smart glasses have?
  3. Follow-up by researching further in different global locations, the impacts and implications of smart glasses in public places and the laws that are regulating their use.

Make Connections: 2.7 Values and ethics, 3.5 Media, 3.6 Artificial Intelligence, 4.1 Cultural

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