UK Minister Weighs Restrictions on Smart Glasses Sales
Officials are evaluating limits on wearable devices to address complaints about hidden filming in public and professional spaces.
By Sarah Reynolds ·
Satvir Kaur, the UK minister for safeguarding, indicated that the government is preparing to limit who can buy smart glasses and where they may be worn.
The proposal follows concerns that the devices are being used to record women without their knowledge. Kaur stated that the government is currently reviewing options to restrict sales to specific users and to ban the technology in certain locations.
She explained that the advantages of the hardware must be balanced against the potential harms it causes. The minister noted that current laws already prohibit filming in some places, such as courtrooms. However, she added that other sectors are also reviewing their policies. NHS England and the Department for Education are examining how wearable technology fits into their existing safeguarding and professional rules for healthcare and education settings.
Anna Sabine, a Liberal Democrat MP, raised the issue during a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday. She described reports from women who found videos of themselves online after nights out. According to Sabine, these videos were filmed by men wearing smart glasses without the subjects' consent. She argued that the devices erode privacy in public areas and create urgent questions about consent.
Sabine pointed out that advertisements for the glasses often list the ability to film discreetly as a key feature. She urged lawmakers to act before the problem becomes too widespread to manage effectively.
Kaur acknowledged that the technology offers major benefits for some groups. She cited visually impaired individuals as an example, noting that the glasses help them move through their environment more easily. She described the devices as potentially a gamechanger for those users.
Jason O’Connell, a Reform UK Member of the Senedd for Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, defended his use of the devices in the debating chamber last month. He used a built-in teleprompter feature to read a speech. O’Connell told the BBC that he wanted to avoid looking down at physical notes constantly. He viewed the glasses as a way to improve his posture and focus while speaking.
