Written Answer · 2026-05-06 · Parliament 15
Regulating Smart Glasses and AI Wearables to Prevent Covert Recording and Unconsented Data Collection
Workers' Party MP Mr Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information whether the Ministry will introduce visual indicator requirements for smart glasses to prevent surreptitious recording in public, and how it ensures AI-enabled wearables do not facilitate mass collection of biometric or environmental data without the explicit consent of bystanders. Mrs Josephine Teo replied that under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), organisations — including individuals creating content for commercial purposes — are accountable for how personal data is collected and used, and that photography and recording are subject to the same rules regardless of the device's form factor. While the PDPA generally does not require consent for recording in public spaces, any subsequent use or disclosure, including for AI features, must be for a reasonable purpose and comply with other laws. Non-consensual recording or misuse of intimate content may constitute offences under the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act, and content creators can be held accountable under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act. No device-specific new regulations were committed.
Key Points
- • Giam proposed visual indicator requirements for smart glasses against covert recording
- • Teo: PDPA rules are technology-neutral, regardless of device form factor
- • Public-space recording generally needs no consent, but downstream AI use must be reasonable and lawful
- • Penal Code, Protection from Harassment Act and online safety law cover misuse of intimate content
The Government holds that existing technology-neutral laws — the PDPA, Penal Code and related statutes — adequately cover smart glasses and AI wearables, and is not introducing device-specific regulations for now.
Mr Giam pushed for new rules such as visual recording indicators on smart glasses to prevent covert recording in public and mass unconsented collection of bystanders' biometric data.
Facing new privacy risks from AI wearables, Singapore is relying on technology-neutral existing laws rather than device-specific legislation, focusing regulation on downstream data use rather than capture hardware.
"The taking of photographs or making of video or audio recordings is subject to the same rules and principles regardless of the form factor of the device."
Participants (2)
Original Text (English)
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-06-09
33 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Ministry will introduce new regulations for visual indicator requirements for smart glasses to prevent surreptitious recording in public spaces; and (b) how the Ministry ensures that AI-enabled wearable devices used by individuals do not facilitate the mass collection of biometric or environmental data without the explicit consent of non-users in the vicinity.
Mrs Josephine Teo : Under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), organisations, including individuals creating content for commercial purposes, are accountable for how personal data is collected and used. The taking of photographs or making of video or audio recordings is subject to the same rules and principles regardless of the form factor of the device.
While the PDPA generally does not require consent to be sought from persons for photography or recording in public spaces, organisations must ensure that any subsequent use or disclosure of the personal data, including for artificial intelligence features, is for a reasonable purpose and complies with any other applicable laws.
Regardless of the capacity they are acting in, individuals should also note that non-consensual recording, sharing or other misuse of intimate or private content may constitute criminal offences under existing laws, including the Penal Code and the Protection from Harassment Act. Under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act, creators of online content may also be held accountable for harms caused to victims.