Data authority warns of privacy risks from smart glasses

Helga Þórisdóttir, director general of Iceland’s Data Protection Authority, says the agency is closely monitoring developments involving smart glasses, mbl.is reports. The authority has not yet received any cases related to the technology in Iceland.

“I assume someone is interested in this in Iceland and has already started using it, but nothing has come before us,” Helga told mbl.is when asked whether privacy issues involving smart glasses had arisen in the country.

Smart glasses have a built-in camera, and it can be difficult to tell whether recording is taking place. Several related cases have been reported in the European media. In some cases, girls have complained that men approached them, spoke to them and then posted recordings of the interactions online without their knowledge.

The glasses have also been banned in all schools in Oslo. Helga said Iceland’s Data Protection Authority was closely following developments in Europe and discussing the issue through European cooperation on data protection. She said the technology affected privacy, workplaces and other areas.

Helga said smart glasses had both positive and negative aspects. They could help people with impaired vision move around outdoors, and recordings could provide evidence after traffic accidents if people disagreed about what had happened.

She also said the technology could allow people to capture moments as they occurred, such as seeing a bird while out in nature. With a phone, the moment might be gone by the time the camera was ready.

At the same time, Helga said people should consider how personal data could be misused. Someone might be recorded at a family gathering or a dinner with friends without knowing it, potentially undermining trust.

“Basically, if we are being recorded, we want to know about it,” Helga said. She questioned whether people were prepared to be recorded constantly by everyone or whether rules should be introduced.

Helga said only the police should have the authority to monitor people, although officers often need to obtain a court order. She added that it would not be unreasonable for workplaces to require smart glasses to be removed during certain meetings.