The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has released a formal advisory regarding the use of smart glasses, a category of wearable technology that integrates cameras into eyewear. The watchdog is calling on manufacturers to implement mandatory, highly visible signals that alert bystanders whenever a device is actively recording video or audio. This recommendation comes as regulators attempt to balance technological innovation with the fundamental right to privacy.

The primary motivation behind this guidance is the increasing concern that smart glasses could be used to record individuals without their knowledge or consent. According to the EDPB, the ability to capture footage discreetly poses significant risks, particularly regarding the harassment or non-consensual filming of women and girls. By requiring a clear, unambiguous light or indicator, the watchdog hopes to establish a standard that makes it impossible for users to record others secretly.

While the advisory focuses on the need for transparency, it also highlights the broader challenge of regulating wearable tech. As these devices become more common, privacy advocates argue that current laws are struggling to keep pace with the ease of data collection. The EDPB’s stance serves as a preemptive measure to ensure that privacy-by-design principles are integrated into the product development phase rather than addressed after privacy violations occur. Manufacturers are now being encouraged to adopt these visual cues globally to maintain user trust and comply with evolving data protection expectations.