Utrecht may ban camera smart glasses in city buildings

The municipality of Utrecht is investigating whether it can restrict smart glasses with built-in cameras in municipal buildings. It is also looking at a ban on secret filming through the local bylaws, the Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening (APV). The city executive wants clarity on the options by the first quarter of 2027 at the latest, according to its answers to council questions.

The municipality currently has no specific policy on smart glasses in its buildings, the city executive says. House rules already ban photographing and filming in municipal swimming pools, and staff can enforce that.

The city executive recognises that secret filming may break the EU privacy law (AVG).

No final decision on a ban has been taken. According to the city executive, the municipality is checking whether a ban is legally possible and enforceable, and whether the rules should also cover other wearable devices that can record images.

The municipality is also commissioning an "Uthiek Assessment" of smart glasses, which looks at matters such as humanity, inclusiveness and power relations. The city executive says it also wants to weigh the benefits for people with a visual impairment.