Brussels announced a draft framework aimed at regulating data collection by smart glasses sold in the European Union. The proposal would require manufacturers to disclose sensor capabilities, store biometric data locally, and obtain explicit consent before any cloud upload. Regulators see the wearables market as a new privacy frontier.

The move follows a series of high‑profile incidents where facial‑recognition lenses transmitted images without user knowledge. Lawmakers argue that existing GDPR provisions do not fully address continuous video streams from head‑mounted devices. The draft also outlines heavy fines for non‑compliant firms, echoing recent penalties against social‑media platforms.

Industry groups warn that overly strict rules could stall innovation and push development to jurisdictions with looser standards. They suggest a tiered compliance model that differentiates between consumer‑grade and enterprise‑grade devices. Critics say the approach may fragment the market and raise costs for small manufacturers.

If adopted, the privacy crackdown would become the first comprehensive legal regime targeting wearables beyond smartphones. Developers would need to embed encryption and on‑device processing by default, reshaping how AR applications handle user data. The proposal is slated for a vote in the European Parliament later this year.