Hamburg to Ban Smart Glasses in Public Spaces to Protect Privacy
Hamburg, September 1, 2026 – The debate surrounding so-called smart glasses in Hamburg’s public swimming pools continues. Following an initiative by the Left Party, the ruling coalition factions of the SPD and Greens are now also pushing for a ban on the use of such camera glasses.
The primary goal is to protect privacy by prohibiting glasses with integrated cameras from certain public areas. This proposal, initiated by the Left Party, will be discussed in the Bürgerschaft (Hamburg Parliament) session on Wednesday.
Scope of the Proposed Ban
The ban would apply to all visual aids and similar wearable devices equipped with integrated image, video, or audio recording functions. These devices would be prohibited in all municipal swimming pools, including bathing and relaxation areas, changing rooms, showers, sanitary facilities, saunas, and sunbathing lawns. It is worth noting that Bäderland, the operator of Hamburg’s public pools, already prohibits photographing or filming strangers in its house rules.
Expanded Ban to Public Transport
In an additional motion, the SPD and Greens aim to extend the ban on smart glasses to public transport. “People must be able to trust that their privacy is respected on buses and trains,” stated Hansjörg Schmidt, economic policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group. “Therefore, we want to create clear rules and exclude the use of smart glasses with recording functions in these areas.”
Concerns over Unnoticed Filming
Unlike smartphone cameras, it is often difficult for bystanders to determine whether a recording is currently taking place with smart glasses. Eva Botzenhart, spokesperson for digitalization for the Green parliamentary group, highlighted the case of a Hamburg resident who was unknowingly filmed with smart glasses while talking by the Alsterufer and later found herself in a TikTok video that had been viewed thousands of times.
The red-green Hamburg coalition’s additional motion also calls for regulating the use of smart glasses at the federal level, emphasizing the need for broader legislative action.
Calls for Europe-Wide Regulations
The State Data Protection Commissioner of Schleswig-Holstein has called for uniform regulations across Europe to address the challenges posed by smart glasses and other recording devices in public spaces.
Recent Incidents Highlight Privacy Risks
The urgency of these discussions is underscored by recent incidents. In a separate development, a policewoman discovered a hidden camera in the shower rooms of a police station in downtown Hamburg. The Internal Investigations Department has launched an inquiry into the matter, further emphasizing the growing concerns about privacy in various settings.
This topic was broadcast on NDR 90.3 | NDR 90.3 Aktuell | September 1, 2026 | 3:00 PM.
This initiative reflects a broader societal concern about the balance between technological advancement and individual privacy rights, prompting legislative bodies to consider proactive measures to safeguard citizens in an increasingly digital world.
