Norway plans temporary ban on AI glasses in public spaces

On October 5, 2026, the Norwegian government announced plans to temporarily ban the use of AI glasses in selected public places, saying people could be filmed or recorded without their knowledge. The Next Web reported that the government unveiled the plan that day and said it would not be a blanket ban, leaving private use and other situations that do not involve covert recording untouched. Unite.AI attributed the announcement to Norway's Ministry of Digitalisation and Public Governance, saying the ministry stated on October 5, 2026 that it will propose the temporary ban and appoint an expert group to advise on permanent national regulation of body-worn technology.

The two reports broadly agree on where the ban could apply: places where the public regularly gathers, such as parks, beaches, museums, shopping centres and public events. The Next Web also listed schools, playgrounds, clinics and gyms with changing rooms, while Unite.AI said the scope could extend to schools, kindergartens and other child-related settings.

The proposal remains at the planning stage. The ban is described as temporary and limited to selected places, and which devices would be covered has not yet been decided. Longer-term regulation is left to the expert group, which is to provide recommendations. Neither report mentions a start date for the ban or how it would be enforced.