Wearable Technology: Privacy
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has considered the potential merits of introducing requirements for wearable recording devices, including smart glasses, to display a visual indicator when video or audio recording is taking place.
Answered by Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
People may lawfully use smart glasses and other wearable recording technologies in public spaces, in line with rights to freedom of expression as set out in Human Rights law. However, we recognise the potential privacy and safeguarding implications of the increasing availability of wearable recording devices. If wearers of the technology use it in harmful ways, such as to cause alarm or distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification, they may be guilty of criminal offences such as harassment, stalking or voyeurism.
If recorded images are uploaded to the internet, online services that process them will be subject to the UK's data protection legislation. For example,organisations may need to respond to requests from members of the public to have their images removed.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for data protection, has recently published guidance on consumer Internet of Things products and services: Guidance for consumer Internet of Things products and services | ICO. It makes it clear that manufacturers, developers and providers of connected devices have responsibilities to make sure that there is sufficient transparency around how the technology is used. This includes making any recording obvious to users and bystanders through visible indicators or alerts, and warning users of risks of recording children or vulnerable people.
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