Oslo prohibits smart glasses in all schools, cites Meta data collection fears

Oslo's education authority banned smart glasses in all public and private schools, effective August 27, with the announcement delayed until September 9 due to a national mourning period for King Harald V. The ban covers the entire school day and every education level, from nursery to secondary. Vice Mayor Julie Remen Midtgarden said the measure stops children from becoming 'extras in Meta's data collection,' noting the glasses can record video, capture audio, translate text, and project information directly into the wearer's field of view. She added that Meta already has a facial-recognition feature ready to integrate into these devices, making covert surveillance possible.

For Nigerians, the move highlights growing global concern over wearable tech that harvests personal data without clear consent. Meta's products, including smart glasses, are available in Nigeria, and children increasingly use similar gadgets for learning and entertainment. Without strong data-protection rules, such devices could expose minors to unseen profiling and targeted advertising.

Parents and educators should ask whether schools need clear policies on wearable cameras and data-gathering tools. Will you check the privacy settings on any smart glasses your child uses, push for school-level bans on recording devices, or support stronger national regulations on children's data privacy?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/09/10/oslo-bans-smart-glasses-in-schools/