Crown Dependencies Authorities urge caution over smart glasses (2026-09-16)

Summary

This is a joint advisory from the data protection authorities of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man, cautioning individuals and organisations about privacy risks posed by smart glasses that can discreetly record photos, video and audio.

• Discreet recording risk: Smart glasses can capture people, conversations and personal information without those people knowing they are being recorded, unlike smartphones or traditional cameras.
• Cross border data handling: Recordings may be stored or processed by manufacturers, including via cloud services, meaning captured information could be handled outside the Crown Dependencies.
• Organisational use: Organisations considering deploying smart glasses in workplaces or business settings should carefully assess how they will be used, what information may be captured, and how that information will be handled.
• Individual responsibility: Users are expected to act responsibly and consider privacy impacts on others, similar to expectations for CCTV, dashcams, helmet cams and video doorbells.
• Rights of those recorded: People affected by smart glasses recordings should feel able to exercise their statutory data protection rights and challenge users who have not been transparent about use of the technology.

The advisory itself is informational and awareness-raising rather than creating new binding legal obligations; it points readers to a separate practical guidance document with steps for individuals and organisations using or considering smart glasses.

Applies to

organisations using or considering smart glasses, individuals using smart glasses, data subjects/members of the public who may be recorded