European privacy watchdog calls for visible alerts on smart glasses
The EDPB says light signals, sound or other clear notifications are needed when smart glasses are recording.
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The European privacy watchdog EDPB has warned manufacturers and users of smart glasses about covert recording. The board wants it to be clearly recognisable to bystanders when glasses capture photographs, video or sound.
The European Data Protection Board published a first statement on smart glasses on Tuesday, along with an accompanying report on video recording, monitoring and the gathering of evidence. The devices resemble ordinary glasses, but can contain cameras and microphones and be connected to online services. As a result, people can be recorded without knowing that data about them is being processed.
The EDPB lists several ways of making recordings visible. A manufacturer could use a conspicuous light, an audio signal, a spoken notification, a message on a connected phone or a recognisable design, for example. According to the board, such signals should be reliable, difficult to ignore and kept up to date. The statement is not a new piece of European legislation, but provides provisional guidance for users, manufacturers and service providers.
Who is responsible under privacy rules depends on how the glasses are used, the EDPB says. Someone who makes recordings with glasses and posts them on a public social network could be considered the data controller. The same applies to official, professional or political use. Private use within the household may qualify for an exemption, although other rules on criminal law, employment law or image rights may still apply.
The board focuses particularly on situations in which people have little control over their surroundings. This applies, for example, in hospitals, schools and workplaces. Sharing recordings on social networks also increases the risks. Bystanders often cannot see who receives the images, how long they are stored or what they may later be used for.
The report underpinning the statement describes smart technology as more than just a tool. The researchers also point out that the glasses can be used for interpersonal monitoring and the gathering of evidence. Because wearers and bystanders do not have the same information or control, a power imbalance can arise. The EDPB also mentions differences in knowledge and skills between users.
For European manufacturers, the statement mainly means that they must build transparency into the design from the outset. The board encourages industry standards and public information, but does not prescribe a specific technical system. The practical implementation will depend on future enforcement, national rules and whether European legislators impose additional requirements on devices that can film unobtrusively.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The EDPB published a provisional statement on the privacy risks of smart glasses.
- The board says clear signals are desirable when glasses are recording.
- The statement does not in itself create a new binding European product standard.
Left
Arguments Bystanders cannot voluntarily consent to a recording they cannot see. Manufacturers must therefore accept strong transparency requirements and clear restrictions in sensitive spaces.
Values Privacy, equality of power and protection for people who did not choose the technology themselves.
Consequences Stricter requirements may slow some applications, but according to this approach they reduce the risk of covert monitoring and misuse.
Centre
Arguments The technology can be useful, but requires a combination of technical signals, existing privacy rules, sectoral agreements and enforcement. A proportionate approach should leave room for innovation.
Values Legal certainty, feasibility and a balance between innovation and fundamental rights.
Consequences Manufacturers receive predictable standards, while schools, care institutions and employers can set additional rules depending on the situation.
Right
Arguments Existing privacy, employment and criminal law already provide a basis. New general bans could put European companies at a disadvantage; responsibility should mainly lie with the person who records and publishes.
Values Individual responsibility, innovation and restrained government regulation.
Consequences Fewer rules imposed in advance may enable rapid development, but leave more risks with bystanders and users.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based directly on the EDPB’s statement and an independent summary. The text clearly distinguishes between provisional guidance and binding legislation.
- confirmed The EDPB published a statement and report on smart glasses on 13 October 2026. — Mentioned in the EDPB news release. source
- confirmed The EDPB mentions light, sound or other notifications as possible signals that glasses are recording. — Included in the passage on transparency. source
- confirmed According to the EDPB, responsibility for data protection depends on how the glasses are used. — The EDPB distinguishes between public, professional and private use. source
- confirmed The statement is provisional, non-binding guidance. — The EDPB calls the text an initial statement and preliminary guidance. source
Editor's note
It is certain that the EDPB published a provisional statement and report on 13 October. The recommendations are not the same as new binding product rules.Sources
- EDPB publishes statement on the data protection challenges of smart glasses — European Data Protection Board
- EU watchdog says smart glasses must give clear warnings — RTÉ
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