Lawmakers condemn secret filming with smart glasses, cite legal loopholes

Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman addressed Parliament on Wednesday, stating that creators are earning “millions” of views from such content, describing the situation as a “wild west” for privacy and online abuse. She emphasized that the law currently focuses on repeated incidents against a single person, allowing the behavior to continue and be financially rewarded. Goldman stated, “It doesn’t matter that the same harassing behaviour is replicated across potentially dozens of women… All that currently matters in the law is that it is not done repeatedly to the same woman.”

Labour’s Satvir Kaur responded that ministers are actively reviewing options to restrict smart glasses in specific locations and for certain users, with work progressing “at pace.” She indicated that NHS England and the Department for Education are assessing the use of wearable technology, though details remain unclear. Considerations are also underway regarding the use of smart glasses within Parliament itself.

The debate, initiated by Anna Sabine MP, underscored the potential for these devices to compromise safety and privacy in public spaces, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Sabine acknowledged the benefits of smart glasses for the visually impaired, noting discussions with the Royal National Institute for the Blind, who share similar concerns.

Satvir Kaur also expressed that social media platforms need to do more to remove videos of this nature, suggesting current efforts are insufficient.

Filming in public is currently legal in the UK, but restrictions apply in areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Greater Manchester Police previously arrested a 27-year-old man from Bradford in connection with incidents in Manchester, but the criminal investigation was closed due to limitations in existing legislation. Refuge, a domestic abuse charity, has repeatedly warned that these glasses pose a threat to the safety of women and girls.