The European Union's data protection watchdog has formally called for smart glasses to prominently display when they are actively recording, asserting that bystanders supposedly possess the fundamental right to know when they are being filmed or photographed. The non-binding recommendation comes amid a wave of public friction regarding privacy invasions.

Issued by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on Tuesday, the advisory highlights mounting apprehension over the misuse of wearable tech to covertly record women and girls. These internet-connected devices, which mimic ordinary eyewear while offering photography, video, and translation capabilities, allegedly generate severe vulnerabilities regarding personal data.

EDPB chief Anu Talus claimed that warning mechanisms must be reliable and impossible to ignore, suggesting bright LED lights, audio cues, or distinct structural designs. However, critics argue that the European regime's delayed response underscores a broader failure to proactively regulate the unchecked expansion of intrusive consumer electronics.

The regulatory body further warned that such gadgets pose heightened dangers within sensitive environments like schools and hospitals, as well as public recreational spaces. This scrutiny follows legislative resistance in nations like Norway and active public campaigns demanding total bans on smart glasses distribution.

Source: www.aljazeera.com