The Maharashtra government will constitute an expert committee to formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the use of AI-powered smart glasses that have recently entered the market, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said on Tuesday.
The recommendations will be sent to the central government with a request to make relevant changes in the relevant rules and policies where lawmakers have raised concerns about their misuse.
It will also train security agencies and law enforcement personnel to regulate and respond to the use of these devices in public places, government offices and other sensitive locations, noting concerns related to public safety and national security.
The announcement was made by Kadam in the state assembly on Tuesday in response to concerns raised by lawmakers over the impacts of AI-powered smart glasses on privacy, women’s safety, state security and national security.
The issue was raised by NCP MLA Sana Malik, who represents Anushakti Nagar constituency. It warned of the possibility of misuse of smart glasses powered by artificial intelligence for secret surveillance and recording.
“AI-powered smart glasses… are now readily available. Equipped with cameras, microphones, AI assistants, live translation, voice commands, live streaming, photo and video recording capabilities, they look no different from regular glasses. In some cases, the recording indicator can be disabled, making secret recording possible,” Malik said.
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Describing the matter as a matter of privacy and national security, she said the use of such devices in Mantralaya, government offices, police stations, courts, prisons, defense installations, airports and railway control rooms could compromise confidential information and pose safety risks to women and children.
It urged the government to formulate a policy governing AI smart glasses, designate “no smart wearable” zones in sensitive locations, and set clear rules on the collection, storage and use of data generated by these devices.
Kadam admitted that although AI offers significant benefits, it also carries the potential for misuse.
“I have also seen devices such as smart glasses that can secretly record video and audio,” he said. “This raises serious concerns about privacy and data security, and there is no guarantee that this data will always remain protected.”
Kadam said an expert committee will be formed to recommend a regulatory framework and standard operating procedures that determine where and how these devices can be used. “Based on its recommendations, the government will establish guidelines to ensure that technology is used responsibly while maintaining public interest and security,” he said.
Maharashtra will send its recommendations to the central government so that they can be taken into consideration while formulating a national legal framework to regulate AI-enabled wearables, he added.
Acknowledging the security implications of this technology, Kadam said the government will also train security agencies and law enforcement officials to deal with emerging challenges posed by AI-powered wearable devices in sensitive locations.
