Dongguan City, Guangdong, China - September 6, 2026 - Hampo officially launches the Ego‑Camera, a head‑mounted binocular dual‑lens camera purpose‑built for embodied AI and robot‑learning data acquisition.Capturing authentic human first‑person perspective, this unit integrates an on‑board IMU with hardware‑level synchronization to deliver high‑precision timestamped visual‑inertial fused data. It enables robotics R&D teams to easily gather real‑world manipulation data and generate reproducible multimodal datasets for embodied AI model training Industry Background The performance ceiling of embodied AI robots heavily relies on the quality and scale of training datasets. Industry consensus confirms egocentric first‑person data delivers the most practical training material, matching the actual viewpoint robots use in deployment.Researchers wear the lightweight head‑mounted camera and perform natural grasping, assembly and manipulation tasks within ordinary real‑world environments. AI models learn manipulation skills, action sequences and spatial relationships directly from human‑perspective recordings. Complex robot operation workflows and costly custom data‑collection setups can be largely avoided.High‑quality robot training requires far more than clear images. Reliable vision‑inertial time alignment, frame‑accurate timestamps and ready‑to‑use calibration datasets determine whether raw recordings can be directly applied for VIO‑SLAM, teleoperation and imitation learning. The Hampo Ego‑Camera is engineered specifically to solve these critical industry pain points. Key Specifications | Parameter | Specification | |---|---| | Sensor | Dual 2MP Color Global Shutter CMOS (1/2.6″) | | Output Resolution | 3840×1080P @30fps Binocular Panoramic | | Dynamic Range | 61.56dB Linear / 91.56dB HDR | | Field of View | Dual 125° Ultra‑Wide, Low‑Distortion | | Lens | M12×P0.5 Fixed Focus | | Binocular Function | Dual‑camera sync, ranging & calibration; supports depth detection and 3D reconstruction | | IMU | On‑board IMU, hardware synchronized with image frames | | Timestamp | Frame‑level timestamp for replayable, reproducible data | | Calibration | Factory pre‑calibrated, calibration data included upon delivery | |
Sep 6, 2026 · via markets.financialcontent.com
Live facial recognition cameras lead to 82 arrests - Published Facial recognition cameras have been used to arrest more than 80 people in West Yorkshire since November 2025, police have said. Live facial recognition (LFR) technology works by comparing faces captured on a live camera feed against an authorised watchlist. West Yorkshire Police, which deployed the cameras in Wakefield city centre last week, said since their introduction the LFR vans had led to the arrest of 82 suspects. Ch Supt Stuart Bainbridge, district commander of Wakefield Police, said the cameras were "an incredibly useful tool" for "keeping communities safe". The technology has been criticised by some privacy campaigners, but recent a challenge against the Metropolitan Police's use of it was dismissed at the High Court in April. Bainbridge said the cameras "are there to pick out persons already logged on police systems as wanted by the courts, wanted for arrest or as posing a risk to the public". Images captured of ordinary members of the public are deleted almost instantly, he added. The cameras have also helped officers find missing and vulnerable people during their 10 months of operation, according to the force. Arrests made in recent weeks have included suspects wanted for serious domestic offences, as well as retail crime, according to police. Deputy leader of Wakefield Council John Thomas said he had previously had "concerns" about the use of live facial recognition, but, with "appropriate safeguards" in place, said it was "a valuable tool to keep communities safe whilst not impinging on our civil liberties". Ch Insp Dan Tillett, LFR specialist at the force, said the technology acted as "an extra pair of high tech eyes" to assist officers in spotting people evading the law. "More deployments will soon be taking place to maximise our use of this
Sep 6, 2026 · via bbc.co.uk
Meta sued over using “perv glasses” recordings to feed its AI Meta disputes the allegations, saying it will fight them in court. - An amended lawsuit says Meta Glasses recorded bystanders without notice and used footage to train AI systems. - The complaint says contractors overseas reviewed footage that included highly private moments and sensitive information. - Meta denies the allegations and says it filters data to remove identifying information and protect privacy. - The case is ongoing, alongside a separate Illinois lawsuit over images used for facial recognition and generative AI. Key Takeaways by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff. Meta is facing expanded allegations that its AI-powered Meta Glasses captured footage of bystanders without their consent and that the footage was later used to train its AI systems. The original lawsuit, filed in federal court in California in March, alleged that Meta transferred footage captured by its AI glasses to third-party human contractors for review and analysis despite Meta marketing the glasses as privacy-friendly. “This is particularly concerning given that these Glasses accompany users throughout their daily routines – in their homes, bathrooms, bedrooms, and other private spaces, capturing deeply private moments: changing clothes, using the toilet, engaging in sexual activity, caring for children, and more,” the lawsuit said. The lawsuit added that such a transfer was unexpected to reasonable consumers, and that transferring personal footage to third-party contractors overseas could create numerous risks, including harassment, blackmail, or public dissemination. Additionally, it alleged that when users activate AI features, imagery and audio can be transmitted to Meta's servers for analysis and ultimately used to train its AI models. On August 31st, an amended complaint extended the allegations beyond those who have purchased the glasses to include ordinary bystanders who were recorded without their knowledge. "Even if a bystander notices
Sep 6, 2026 · via cybernews.com
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead. Facial recognition technology is a thoroughly divisive matter and views will range from it being a necessary step to keep us safe to it being a dangerous infringements of our civil rights. It’s 2026, so there is no room for nuance or middle ground in most debates. But we have done our best to capture that nuance in our reporting today. Blackpool briefing 🪨 A decision on 17 rock headlands on Blackpool’s beach has been deferred by Blackpool Council’s planning committee. Blackpool Council has vowed to spend more time working with the RNLI on the safety measures attached to the scheme. The RNLI had delivered a 27-page objection against the proposal saying it would create a level of risk that could not be adequately protected against. A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “The RNLI has objected to the scheme and welcomes the decision to defer the application for further consideration following representations made to the Planning Committee by the Chair of Blackpool RNLI. “Our detailed objection sets out concerns about the effect the project, in its current form, could have on the RNLI’s ability to save lives and on the safety of those using the coastline. “Many of the incidents attended by Blackpool RNLI occur close to the seawall, often during hours of darkness and in challenging sea conditions. The proposed introduction of multiple rock groynes could significantly affect our volunteers’ ability to launch quickly and access, assess and assist casualties. There are also concerns that the groynes could restrict access to areas of the foreshore currently used for safe lifeboat operations. “While the RNLI supports efforts to protect and preserve the coastline, it is vital that any proposal does not adversely affect our lifesaving service or our ability to operate effectively. Our
Sep 6, 2026 · via blackpool.thelead.uk
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead. Facial recognition technology is a thoroughly divisive matter and views will range from it being a necessary step to keep us safe to it being a dangerous infringements of our civil rights. It’s 2026, so there is no room for nuance or middle ground in most debates. But we have done our best to capture that nuance in our reporting today. Blackpool briefing 🪨 A decision on 17 rock headlands on Blackpool’s beach has been deferred by Blackpool Council’s planning committee. Blackpool Council has vowed to spend more time working with the RNLI on the safety measures attached to the scheme. The RNLI had delivered a 27-page objection against the proposal saying it would create a level of risk that could not be adequately protected against. A spokesperson for the RNLI said: “The RNLI has objected to the scheme and welcomes the decision to defer the application for further consideration following representations made to the Planning Committee by the Chair of Blackpool RNLI. “Our detailed objection sets out concerns about the effect the project, in its current form, could have on the RNLI’s ability to save lives and on the safety of those using the coastline. “Many of the incidents attended by Blackpool RNLI occur close to the seawall, often during hours of darkness and in challenging sea conditions. The proposed introduction of multiple rock groynes could significantly affect our volunteers’ ability to launch quickly and access, assess and assist casualties. There are also concerns that the groynes could restrict access to areas of the foreshore currently used for safe lifeboat operations. “While the RNLI supports efforts to protect and preserve the coastline, it is vital that any proposal does not adversely affect our lifesaving service or our ability to operate effectively. Our
Sep 6, 2026 · via blackpool.thelead.uk
Facial recognition cameras detect 82 wanted people across West Yorkshire Live facial recognition cameras have helped West Yorkshire Police detect 82 people wanted on suspicion of offences, including those linked to serious domestic violence and retail crime. The technology has been in use across West Yorkshire since November 2025, with cameras deployed in Wakefield this week as part of the force’s continued rollout of live facial recognition (LFR). In the 10 months since its introduction, LFR has also helped officers locate missing and vulnerable people and identify 95 individuals subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. The cameras work by comparing live images with a police watchlist of people wanted by the courts, wanted for arrest or considered a risk to the public. Any potential matches are reviewed by trained officers before any action is taken. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bainbridge, District Commander of Wakefield Police, said the latest deployment had helped officers “in keeping communities safe”. He said: “Live Facial Recognition is an incredibly useful tool and this latest deployment in Wakefield has assisted our officers in keeping communities safe. “The cameras are there to pick out persons already logged on police systems as wanted by the courts, wanted for arrest or as posing a risk to the public. “Images of ordinary members of the public who walk by them are deleted almost instantly. “The technology itself is tried and tested, and the number of wanted criminals it has now helped catch really demonstrates its effectiveness.” The use of LFR has raised concerns among some Wakefield residents over privacy and the potential for mass surveillance. Coun John Thomas, Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council, said he had shared those concerns but had been reassured by discussions with police. He said: “Like many residents I’ve had concerns about the use of Live Facial
Sep 6, 2026 · via wakefieldexpress.co.uk
Photo: Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital In a world first, a Chinese medical team performed an AI-powered, ultrasound robot-guided transcatheter closure procedure for congenital heart disease on a 48-year-old man on Saturday, according to a novelty search conducted by an authoritative institution. The surgery was carried out by the Senior Department of Cardiology at the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, marking a breakthrough in the use of intelligent imaging robots in minimally invasive interventions for structural heart disease, according to an official post on the hospitalâs WeChat account. The AI-powered ultrasound robotic system used in the surgery goes beyond conventional interventional robots, which are largely limited to device delivery, by enabling two-way intelligent coordination between image recognition and surgical manipulation. During the procedure, the robot autonomously carried out image acquisition, lesion localization and real-time navigation throughout the operation, helping the medical team select and accurately deploy the occlude. The system reduced the risks of human error, significantly improved the precision and safety of complex congenital heart disease interventions, streamlined the surgical workflow and shortened the procedure time, providing new technical support for highly complex minimally invasive interventions. The surgeryâs success pioneers a new model of cardiovascular intervention that combines artificial intelligence with medical robotics. The technology substantially reduces reliance on physiciansâ experience in ultrasound-guided procedures for complex structural heart disease, while improving the safety and scalability of minimally invasive surgery. The hospitalâs post highlighted the technologyâs vast potential. Beyond navigation for routine cardiovascular interventions, it could be deployed for rapid diagnosis of battlefield and trauma injuries, remote robotic surgery and medical support for primary-level healthcare institutions. Global Times
Sep 6, 2026 · via globaltimes.cn
Brisbane restricts use of smart glasses without consent in public pools Brisbane City Council in Australia has banned the use of smart glasses without people's consent in public pools. The new rule also applies to all devices with cameras. Lifeguards may require visitors to leave the pool area if they violate this condition of entry. As ABC News Australia reports, Brisbane Council became the first local council in the country to introduce such a restriction in public pools. Queensland state legislation already prohibits recording people without their consent in circumstances where a reasonable adult could reasonably expect privacy. This includes filming in pool changing rooms. The need for broader regulation Elizabeth Englezos, a lecturer at the Griffith University School of Law, described the council's approach as a way of using conditions of access to public space. At the same time, she said that regulation at the state or federal level is needed to counter abuses, as it is not always possible to determine whether a person is wearing glasses with a recording function. More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram. Australia's Office of the eSafety Commissioner recommended that manufacturers introduce automatic face blurring and clearer visual recording indicators. The agency said that harm from covert recording is already real and may become more complex through the combination of smart glasses with facial recognition, image recognition and generative artificial intelligence technologies. Plans of other councils and a parliamentary initiative Gold Coast Council plans to introduce a policy similar to Brisbane's model regarding Meta glasses. On the Sunshine Coast, pool operators independently set and enforce conditions of entry, including restrictions on filming without permission. The Greens, with the support of independent MPs, intend to introduce a bill when parliament resumes sittings to suspend imports of wearable recording devices
Sep 5, 2026 · via ua.news
When will human hydrographic activities be substituted by artificial intelligence? Admittedly, the title of this article, formulated as a question, is deliberately provocative. The first reaction of those who read it and are interested in hydrography for professional reasons will probably be ‘never’, or ‘not during my career’. Some may simply say: ‘wrong question’. If you read primarily non-technically orientated media, you get the impression that this technology can provide answers to almost all questions – especially those that humanity has never asked before. This seems unlikely to me, and it is therefore worth first of all systematically discussing the possibilities and limitations of the applicability of this new technological wizardry in order to then assess its usability in hydrography. I think that both the question and the possible answers first need to be clarified as to which areas of hydrographic activities will be affected by the use of artificial intelligence. One of the smartest conversations I have read on this topic so far was conducted by Lars Schiller, editor in chief of the German Hydrographic Society’s trade journal, with Alexander Reiterer from Fraunhofer IPM. You can either download the entire interview and have it translated by AI-driven software or follow my highly summarized interpretation here. One of Alexander Reiterer’s key statements for understanding the possibilities of AI is the following: AI is trained for a clear task, by humans. This is a very complex process in which algorithms are used that enable self-learning. For certain tasks, the machine is clearly superior to humans after this learning process. For example, in very lengthy and complex pattern-recognition tasks involving vast amounts of data and parameters, the capacity of an AI can be huge with the computing power available today. We cannot expand and upgrade the human brain at will. And: AI
Sep 5, 2026 · via hydro-international.com
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Sep 5, 2026 · via theindependent.com
Smart Glasses Misuse: Meta Blocks Camera Function for Thousands of Users Growing pressure is showing results: Meta is increasingly cracking down on the misuse of its smart glasses and distancing itself from facial recognition. Meta is intensifying its crackdown on users who misuse its smart glasses. The company announced this week that it will disable the camera function if the glasses detect physical manipulation of the recording LED. This is a central component of Meta’s privacy framework and is intended to signal to bystanders that recording is taking place. The camera lock will remain in place until the LED is functional again. For users who have irreversibly impaired or destroyed the LED, this means the permanent loss of the camera function. Meta estimates that less than 0.1 percent of all glasses sold have been manipulated in this way. With likely several million devices sold, several thousand pairs of glasses could be affected. Videos by heise In the preceding months, US media reported that dubious services had emerged online that permanently disable the LED for a fee. According to its own statements, Meta has removed thousands of advertisements for such services from its platforms and threatened legal action against such providers. Some of these services have since gone offline. A “cat-and-mouse game” over the recording LED The detection of physical manipulation was introduced with a software update announced in July. A separate protective function against simply covering the LED already existed: If the glasses detect that the LED is covered, users cannot start a recording or take photos. Recently, Meta’s Head of Wearables Alex Himel announced on Threads that another loophole would be closed: In the future, the camera will also switch off if the LED is covered *during* an ongoing recording. The measure shows how persistent the problem is and
Sep 5, 2026 · via heise.de
7 Best Brand Protection Platforms in 2026 (Ranked & Reviewed) Let’s be honest: the scale of the fake goods problem is almost too big to wrap your head around. A joint OECD–EUIPO report released in 2025 found that global trade in counterfeits hit an estimated $467 billion in 2021, which is a 2.3 % of all world trade. For EU imports, counterfeits made up 4.7 % of goods, worth $117 billion. And the routes have changed. China still accounts for 45 % of all seizures, but around 65 % now involve small parcels that slip through customs far more easily than container-loads ever did. If your team is still fighting brand abuse with spreadsheets and manual reports, you’re not just outnumbered but practically invisible. The market for tools to fight back is growing fast, too. Straits Research sized the brand protection software market at $2.92 billion in 2025 and expects it to reach $6.62 billion by 2034. Phishing detection alone is forecast to grow at a 17.3 % CAGR through 2034, while e‑commerce protection commanded a 29.7 % share of the market in 2025 and is set to expand at 17.5 % annually. So where do you start? This article ranks seven of the best brand protection platforms across AI detection accuracy, takedown speed, marketplace coverage, and multi‑language support, so you can cut through the noise. For a deeper look at the AI engines powering these tools, Gracker.ai’s AI-Powered Brand Monitoring guide is a great primer. Methodology — How We Evaluated the Best Brand Protection Platforms We zeroed in on five criteria that matter most to enterprise and mid‑size brand and IP teams handling cross‑border abuse: - AI/ML detection accuracy — advanced image recognition, NLP, OCR, and semantic analysis that go beyond keyword matching. - Takedown speed — median removal
Sep 5, 2026 · via quasa.io
The information displayed in the AIM should not be reported as representing the official views of the OECD or of its member countries.
Delhi Police's facial recognition system flagged at least 25 individuals as present at the Jantar Mantar protests, despite police, prison, and court records confirming they were in jail at the time. This AI system malfunction raises concerns about wrongful identification, legal fairness, and potential violations of fundamental rights.[AI generated]
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The event involves an AI system (facial recognition software) used by law enforcement to identify individuals at a protest. The system's errors, such as identifying jailed individuals as present at the protest, demonstrate malfunction or misuse leading to potential harm, including violations of rights and legal protections. The AI system's role is pivotal in causing these harms, as the misidentifications stem directly from its outputs. Although the police state that field verification is required before action, the initial false identifications themselves represent an AI Incident due to the direct or indirect harm caused by the AI system's malfunction or erroneous outputs affecting individuals' rights and legal standing.[AI generated]
Sep 5, 2026 · via oecd.ai
How facial recognition sees you, matches you, and sometimes gets it wrong A face in a crowd. A camera. An algorithm. And, potentially, a police alert. Facial recognition technology used by Delhi Police is back under scrutiny after Opposition leaders questioned its deployment during recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests at Jantar Mantar, amid media reports highlighting possible fault lines in FRT and raising questions over police claims. Delhi Police maintains that its Facial Recognition System does not establish identity on its own: a possible match generates an alert, after which “investigators are expected to independently verify the person.” That distinction is central to understanding the technology. A machine does not “recognise” a face the way a human does. It converts facial features into a numerical representation and calculates how closely it matches another image. The controversy therefore raises two questions: how reliable is the technology, and how much should police be trusted with a system capable of identifying people in public spaces? India Today’s Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) team examined research papers, technical studies and other open-source material to understand how facial recognition works, where it can go wrong and the still-unsettled legal framework governing its use in India. So how does the machine see you? The starting point is deceptively simple. The Journal of Law and Technology at Texas explains that an image stored in a computer is essentially an "array of numbers". The software first has to locate a face within that numerical grid before it can attempt to recognise it. Older geometric systems did this by measuring facial landmarks, including the relative positions of the eyes and nose and the size and shape of particular features. Photometric techniques approached the problem differently. Rather than relying only on facial landmarks, they analysed patterns across the entire image.
Sep 5, 2026 · via indiatoday.in
82 suspects caught out by Live Facial Recognition cameras in West Yorkshire Faces that match a biometric watchlist will create an alert More than 80 suspected criminals have been caught on facial recognition cameras in West Yorkshire. Live Facial Recognition (LFR) cameras have caught out 82 people since they were first deployed in the region in November 2025. LFR compares live camera images against a watchlist of wanted individuals and suspects. Any alerts generated by the system are reviewed by trained officers before action is taken. Faces that match a biometrics watchlist will create an alert, while data relating to all other faces scanned by the system will be deleted in a matter of seconds. Arrests made in recent weeks have included people wanted for serious domestic offences as well as retail crime. The cameras have also helped officers find missing and vulnerable people during their 10 months of operation and resulted in officers checking 95 people subject to Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. Two LFR vans have recently been deployed in Wakefield. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bainbridge, District Commander of Wakefield Police, said: “Live Facial Recognition is an incredibly useful tool and this latest deployment in Wakefield has assisted our officers in keeping communities safe. The cameras are there to pick out persons already logged on police systems as wanted by the courts, wanted for arrest or as posing a risk to the public. "Images of ordinary members of the public who walk by them are deleted almost instantly. The technology itself is tried and tested, and the number of wanted criminals it has now helped catch really demonstrates its effectiveness.” Cllr John Thomas, Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “Like many residents I’ve had concerns about the use of Live Facial Recognition in Wakefield. People should never be subject to
Sep 5, 2026 · via examinerlive.co.uk
Gig economy workers are urging delivery platforms to open up the “black box” of computer-driven algorithms that determine the jobs they are offered and how much they are paid, blaming increased use of AI for lowering wages. A group of food delivery riders in Edinburgh say their rates of pay have fallen and their working conditions have deteriorated at the same time as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, the three dominant gig economy platforms in the UK and Ireland, have increased their use of automation. “I am making half the money I was making four years ago, for the same amount of hours. It makes no sense,” said David, a food delivery rider in Edinburgh for the past seven years who did not want to share his surname. On a weekday afternoon in the Scottish capital, David and other food delivery riders are sharing their experiences of worsening pay and conditions before they go their separate ways to carry food and groceries to customers’ doorsteps during the dinnertime rush. Standing next to their bikes and insulated food delivery bags in central Edinburgh’s Bristo Square, many have cycled the city streets for several years and tracked a gradual decline in the amount they are paid, even though they continue to deliver similar numbers of orders. The group has come together through the Workers’ Observatory, a charity founded by gig economy workers alongside academics at St Andrews and Edinburgh universities. Its aim is to help riders research the parts of their working experience that are mostly concealed by the companies that operate delivery platforms, to help them to challenge their working conditions. David’s experience is echoed by Xabier Villares, who has been riding for eight years and is now the observatory’s lead organiser. “There has been a dramatic change in the
Sep 5, 2026 · via theguardian.com
- English News - Originals - CJP Protest; Delhi Police AI Camera | Facial Recognition System Rule & Accuracy Explained Explained25 jailed murder, rape accused flagged at Jantar Mantar protest:How did facial recognition get it wrong? - Copy link Recently, the Supreme Court quashed all FIRs related to the exam-leak protests. But it allowed the government to proceed against 2,873 people flagged by Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar. Police said these people had criminal records and were identified by facial-recognition software between 20 and 26 July. Police also said no action would be taken based on facial recognition alone. Each case would first go through “field verification”. But then came a strange detail. An investigation found that at least 25 people were in jail when the system identified them at the protest. They included people facing charges of murder, attempted murder, rape and child abuse. If they were behind bars, how did the system see them at Jantar Mantar? So, let’s understand in detail:.. What happened at the CJP protest? - The Cockroach Janta Party held a protest at Jantar Mantar on 6 June 2026 over examination-related issues. It demanded fairness and the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. - A march towards Parliament was called on 20 July. The facial-recognition scans linked to the 2,873 figure were made between 20 and 26 July. - Delhi Police told the Supreme Court that its Facial Recognition System identified 2,873 people with criminal antecedents. - 2,402 were identified through Crime Kundli and 471 through other criminal records. - On 1 September, the Supreme Court quashed the FIRs related to the protests. It allowed action against the 2,873 people. Why did Delhi Police use facial recognition on the crowd? - Delhi Police used Automated Facial Recognition Systems (AFRS) to identify people with
Sep 5, 2026 · via bhaskarenglish.in
Norway Considers Ban On Meta Glasses' New Facial Recognition Features Meta has found itself in the crossfire quite a bit for numerous reasons, including its Meta Glasses. Not only has the company had litigation brought forward following concerns that employees are being exposed to nudity and other explicit content, but there have also been concerns over how Meta Glasses record people in day-to-day life without them ever being aware. To combat this, Meta added an indicator light that's supposed to show when the wearers are recording. Unfortunately, modders have found ways to get around that indicator. With all of those issues, as well as the potential for facial recognition tech in its next smart glasses release, some countries have gone so far as to start talking about banning the glasses altogether. According to several reports, Norway is already considering a ban on Meta smart glasses, with the country's digital minister saying that the government is looking for ways to regulate the usage of camera-enabled wearables (via AndroidPolice). Considering the ongoing concerns about user privacy and how smart glasses can intrude on it, this potential ban feels like something that has been a long time coming. Restrictions or a full ban Exactly what Norway will decide here is unclear at the moment. However, from the reports making the rounds right now, Norway could either go with certain restrictions to limit recording in public places, or even fully ban the smart glasses from being used altogether. That's because the major concerns here aren't just recording. There are also concerns about how easily hackable these internet-connected devices might be, as well as concerns about how much AI is likely to be baked into these devices in the future. There is no doubt that the potential for abuse when wearing smart glasses is high.
Sep 5, 2026 · via bgr.com
Flock says its cameras make US safer - so why are they being sabotaged? Houston's historic Old Braeswood neighbourhood is affluent and tree-lined. These are not the kind of streets where you would expect to see co-ordinated vandalism. Yet here, four surveillance cameras were attacked and cut down in the middle of the night. The metal poles were severed, leaving the distinctive black oval cameras and accompanying solar panels lying on the ground. On some of the cameras was a red sign reading: "Notice. 24/7 video recording." These cameras are run by a company called Flock Safety and this sabotage, which happened in late July, is a signal of growing concern over the nationwide spread of sophisticated AI-powered surveillance systems. Similar vandalism incidents have occurred in Minnesota, California and Georgia. Proponents say they have made communities safer and have helped dramatically increase the rate at which crimes are solved. But recent examples of misuse have caused concern. Critics say the cameras, which take pictures of the rear of every car that drives past, are overly broad investigative tools that treat civilians like suspects. They see the little black poles popping up in their neighbourhoods as visible reminders of state power, at a time when public confidence in institutions is historically low and many are concerned about the accelerating pace of technological change and the influence of AI on people's lives. A new age of surveillance Founded in 2017, Flock Safety has become one of the country's biggest makers of Automatic Licence Plate Readers (ALPRs). These AI-powered cameras take a picture of the rear of every car that drives past. Footage is retained for a specified amount of time. But little is known about the extent to which Flock is being used - the company does not publish exact data, but
Sep 5, 2026 · via bbc.com
Kentucky lawmakers gather to consider strengthening legislation on Flock cameras FRANKFORT, Ky. (WCHS) — Kentucky lawmakers may take another look at legislation that provides guidelines for using automated license plate readers. House Bill 58 went into effect a few months ago, which regulates how law enforcement uses automated license plate readers, or ALPRs. Somewhere in traffic may be someone police are trying to locate, whether it is a missing person or a suspect in a crime. "A 16-year-old girl was tragically killed in Jefferson County last week," Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson said. "Due in large part to Flock technology, two teenage suspects were taken into custody this week using Flock technology." The issue of surveillance and privacy took center stage at the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary meeting in Frankfort, with lawmakers questioning whether more needs to be done to improve privacy protections. "I am hearing that the very citizens that we serve do not want to be monitored and surveilled in this way, and I think it is my responsibility to bring that to the table," Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge, said. "I don't know why a warrant wouldn't be required, frankly," Rep. Jason Nemes, R-House Majority Whip, said. "I know the police do not like that, but I don't know why we would not require a warrant." Kevin Kane with Flock Safety told the committee that ALPRs have become a vital investigative tool for law enforcement, but must be used with strong policies and guardrails. "It is important to note that all customers, even states that do not have laws governing ALPR use, own and control 100% of the data that is collected by the system, and we do not sell data to third parties," Kane said. "Plus, Flock ALPRs do not use facial recognition." "We need
Sep 4, 2026 · via wchstv.com