China keeps an eye on AI smart glasses as privacy concerns come into focus
Voluntary code aims to address privacy fears surrounding AI smart glasses as shipments surge and hidden recordings spark public outrage
China has issued the first industry code of conduct for smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence, following public outrage over videos taken by users covertly filming strangers with the increasingly popular devices.
The voluntary code calls on smart eyewear manufacturers to adopt a “minimum data collection” approach, provide clear indicators when cameras or microphones are active, and obtain explicit user consent before recording.
The guidelines were released on Thursday by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), a research institute under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The move follows mounting public concern over recent incidents involving smart glasses made by Hangzhou-based tech company Rokid. Videos posted on Rokid’s online user forum showed unsuspecting members of the public being secretly filmed on subway trains, in parks, on beaches and in shopping malls.
One widely shared clip showed a flight attendant greeting passengers and serving meals, apparently unaware that she was being recorded.
Rokid did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Earlier this month, the company removed some of the videos and blocked the accounts responsible for uploading them.