The United Kingdom is joining a growing list of countries looking to potentially restrict or outright ban smart glasses, especially in public spaces. Satvir Kaur, the country's Safeguarding minister, said in a Guardian report, "The government is looking into options to restrict smart glasses in certain settings and restricting the sale to certain users."
Kaur added that the benefits of smart glasses have to be weighed against their harms. In England and Wales, Meta glasses were recently banned in courtrooms, much like a similar ban in New York state. The courts promised to confiscate the glasses if they were worn into the courtroom (and returned after upon leaving).
According to Kaur, England's National Health Service and Department for Education are separately looking into policies regarding smart glasses.
In the last few months, smart glasses, like the Ray-Ban Meta, have faced a public backlash, even earning the moniker "pervert glasses."
In a debate about the glasses, MP Anne Sabina 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."
Whether or not a ban is enacted, Britain is adding to a growing chorus of governments and agencies looking at restricting smart glasses.
Australia's government announced in September that it was barring the use of camera-equipped glasses in government workspaces. The EU is scrutinizing glasses, though nothing official has been pursued yet.
Norway is reportedly planning a temporary ban on smart glasses in public spaces
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