20261027 Wer trägt eine Spannerbrille?

Hidden cameras have no place in everyday life

This petition on WeAct has already been signed by nearly 200,000 people. Nevertheless, as WeAct points out, Meta is already creating new realities: The next generation of smart glasses is on the market, featuring a display in the lens and a wristband that allows the glasses to be controlled via subtle finger movements. Anyone who wants to film no longer even has to raise their hand toward the glasses.

And the federal government? It’s just standing by and watching. To date, the Federal Network Agency has not provided a substantive response to our inquiry from August, and the Ministry of Digital Affairs has, by its own admission, not commissioned the agency to conduct an investigation. We’ve investigated why the agency is being so conspicuously cautious and what problems these glasses are now causing — even in schools — for you.

Different countries, different customs

Take Norway, for example: The government there plans to temporarily ban camera glasses in public spaces in order to thoroughly review the technology and develop effective regulations. That’s exactly what WeAct is calling for in Germany as well! WeAct writes:

That’s why we’re currently preparing to hand over your signatures to Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD). By then, we want to reach 200,000 supporters — and we’re just under 5,000 signatures short of that goal. Talk about this issue in your family chat or in your school’s parent group — that’s exactly where this topic directly affects many people.

The demands are clear

Consistently remove camera glasses that enable covert filming from the market. The responsible Federal Network Agency must enforce existing bans (e.g., under Section 8 of the TDDDG). Hidden cameras have no place in everyday life.

Close loopholes that allow for covert recordings. No one should be turned into raw material for social media, AI applications, or digital shaming. Anyone who secretly records people or distributes such recordings must face severe penalties everywhere in the future — not just in protected spaces.

Set clear boundaries for new recording technologies. Before selling their products, manufacturers must demonstrate that they meet binding requirements for recognizability, data protection, and IT security. Recordings must be clearly identifiable.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)