Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered authorities to enforce restrictions on camera-equipped glasses and other concealed surveillance devices across the province, citing concerns over privacy violations, harassment and the misuse of personal recordings.
The directive follows the provincial government’s decision to prohibit spying equipment disguised as everyday objects, including glasses, pens, watches and other gadgets fitted with hidden cameras or audio-recording technology.
The Punjab Home Department has warned that strict legal action will be taken against the illegal use, purchase and sale of such devices. The measures aim to protect citizens’ privacy and personal information, with particular attention to the safety of women and children.
According to a Punjab Home Department spokesperson, authorities have received complaints involving covert monitoring, harassment and blackmail allegedly carried out using concealed recording equipment.
The government considers the restrictions necessary to safeguard fundamental rights and prevent technology from being used to invade people’s private lives.
Under the announced policy, individuals involved in the illegal use of everyday objects equipped with hidden cameras or recording devices could face strict penalties.
The spy glasses ban in Punjab reflects growing concern about how easily modern surveillance technology can be concealed in ordinary accessories and used without another person’s knowledge or consent.
The move comes amid international debate over camera-enabled smart glasses following reports of women and girls being secretly recorded, with some footage subsequently appearing online.
In Britain, concerns over the potential misuse of these devices have prompted calls for restrictions on their sale, including a petition seeking a ban on the products described by critics as “pervert glasses.”
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), smart glasses can offer several features beyond photography and video recording, including music playback, phone calls, text translation and interaction with artificial intelligence assistants. Sales of these devices have also expanded into the millions.
The technology attracted additional attention during the summer following a marketing collaboration between Kylie Jenner, the beauty entrepreneur and member of the Kardashian family, and Meta, the technology company behind a prominent line of smart glasses.
Privacy concerns intensified in Europe, particularly in Britain, where media coverage highlighted the potential for camera-equipped glasses to be used for covert recording.
The debate grew further amid reports that Meta was developing facial-recognition capabilities for its smart glasses, raising questions about how the technology might identify people without their permission.
In August, a 17-year-old girl told British broadcaster Channel 4 News that a man had approached her and secretly recorded both her and their interaction.
The case added to concerns about the risks posed by wearable recording technology, particularly when people nearby may not realise they are being filmed.
Concerns about smart glasses have also prompted responses from authorities elsewhere in Europe.
Oslo, the Norwegian capital, prohibited the devices in schools, while France’s data protection regulator, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL), called for vigilance over their use.
These developments highlight the growing challenge facing governments as wearable technology becomes more sophisticated and less noticeable.
In Punjab, the government’s crackdown seeks to address similar concerns by restricting concealed recording devices and pursuing legal action against their unlawful use.
The effectiveness of the new measures will depend on enforcement, public awareness and the ability of authorities to distinguish illegal surveillance equipment from devices used for legitimate purposes.
