Oslo bans smart glasses in all schools over privacy concerns

The Oslo municipality has officially banned the use of smart glasses across all schools, covering every level of education, throughout the entire school day. The decision, announced in September 2026, aims to protect student privacy and prevent the unauthorized collection of personal data by technology companies. City officials emphasized that devices like those produced by Meta allow for recording individuals without their knowledge, which the local government finds unacceptable.

Julie Remen Midtgarden, the Conservative Party Deputy Mayor for Education, spearheaded the ban and criticized the Norwegian central government for its slow response to the rapid integration of advanced recording technologies in classrooms. While the central government has reportedly formed a task force to study the issue, local officials argue that immediate action is necessary to prevent children from becoming targets for corporate data harvesting. The ongoing debate highlights the tensions between rapidly evolving consumer technology and the regulation of privacy within public educational spaces.