LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a 30-day ban on the use and sale of camera-enabled smart glasses and miniature cameras disguised as everyday objects, citing concerns over privacy, public safety and the unauthorised recording of sensitive information.
The order, issued by the secretary of the Punjab Home Department under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, prohibits people from wearing or operating smart glasses with hidden recording capabilities and miniature cameras concealed in items such as pens and keychains. Retailers, wholesalers, traders and distributors have also been barred from selling or offering these devices for sale, both online and in shops.
The restriction does not cover laptops, handheld tablets, mobile phones or terminal equipment approved by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Authorised law enforcement personnel are also exempt.
According to the notification, the unrestricted use of such devices, which can capture, process and transmit speech, images, videos and sound, poses risks to public order, individual privacy, sensitive data and the security of installations. It also raises concerns about the dignity and privacy of women and children.
The notification identified airports, examination centres, secure government establishments, healthcare facilities, shopping malls, court premises and other public places as areas of particular concern.
It said the use of the devices created an imminent risk of secret recording, privacy breaches and unauthorised transmission of protected information, making immediate preventive measures necessary to maintain public safety and order across the province.
The ban took effect immediately and will remain in force for 30 days unless withdrawn earlier.
The formal notification follows the provincial government’s earlier decision to restrict such surveillance gadgets after complaints of illegal recording, harassment and blackmail. Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi had previously indicated that a formal order would be issued shortly, allowing traders time to remove the devices from sale.
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Separately, the Lahore High Court is hearing a public interest petition challenging the unregulated import and sale of smart glasses equipped with cameras and microphones. The petition raises concerns about privacy, personal dignity and national security. The court has directed the federal government to forward a summary on the matter to the federal cabinet.
( Newsdesk)
