Crown Dependencies Authorities urge caution over smart glasses

The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey’s data protection authorities have joined forces to highlight the potential privacy risks of smart glasses.

Smart glasses are becoming increasingly popular, offering useful hands-free features and allowing wearers to take photographs, record video and capture audio at the tap of a frame. However, their discreet design can make it difficult for people to know when they are being recorded.

In a Joint Advisory published today, the three authorities warn that these devices can capture people, conversations and personal information without their knowledge. Unlike a smartphone or traditional camera, there may be little to indicate that a recording is taking place. Recordings may also be stored or processed by the manufacturer, including through cloud services, meaning information captured through the glasses could be handled beyond our shores.

With any technology, there are benefits and risks. In the case of smart glasses such as those described, there are clear advantages in their use. However, there are also considerable privacy risks of which the general public and users of these glasses need to be fully aware. As with any recording device, whether that be CCTV, dashcam, helmet cam, video doorbell, or even a mobile phone, the user is expected to act responsibly and consider the privacy impacts of its use on other people. Equally, those affected must also feel able to exercise their statutory rights under data protection laws and feel empowered to challenge users who have not been transparent about the use of the technology. Paul Vane, Information Commissioner for Jersey