DUBLIN Reuters - Ireland's data privacy regulator has asked Facebook to prove that an LED indicator light on the social media giant's newly launched smart glasses is an effective way to let people know they are being filmed or photographed.
Ireland's Data Privacy Commissioner DPC is the lead regulator for Facebook under strict EU data privacy laws as the European headquarters are based in Dublin
Facebook smart glasses, which were created in partnership with Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica, allow wearers to listen to music, take calls or capture photos and short videos and share them across Facebook's services using a companion app.
While it is allowed that many devices, including smart phones, can record third party individuals, it is generally the case that the camera or the phone becomes visible as the device by which recording is happening, thereby putting those captured in recordings on notice, the Irish regulator said in a statement.
With the glasses, there is a very small indicator light that comes on when recording is occurring. It has not been demonstrated to the DPC and Garante that effective testing in the field was done by Facebook or Ray-Ban to ensure the indicators LED light is an effective means of giving notice. The Italian regulator said it shares the concerns of the Irish data protection regulator, the Garante, who asked Facebook to clarify on October 10 to assess the smart glasses for compliance with privacy laws. L 1 N 2 QC2 KU It also said it wanted Facebook to lead an advertising campaign to address the public as to how this new consumer product may give rise to less obvious recording of their images.