Smart glasses and facial recognition technology are not allowed in Italy.
The Data Protection Agency chastised municipalities for using technology.
The Tuscan city of Arezzo was also a target of the privacy monitor.

On Monday, Italy forbade the use of 'smart glasses' and facial recognition after its Data Protection Agency chastised two municipalities for testing the devices. According to the privacy watchdog, facial recognition systems employing biometric data won't be permitted until a special law is passed or at least until the end of next year.

The only exception is when these technologies are used in legal proceedings or to combat crime. According to the agency, the moratorium is necessary to control the eligibility requirements, circumstances, and guarantees linked to facial recognition in accordance with the principle of proportionality.

The processing of personal data by public entities using video devices is typically permitted under European Union and Italian law on the basis of public interest and when connected to the function of public authorities, it was said. Municipalities that want to make use of them must, however, sign 'urban security pacts' with central government officials, it was stated.

The organisation was responding to actions conducted in Lecce, southern Italy, where officials announced they will start utilising facial recognition technology. The watchdog stated that the municipality was required to provide a description of the systems employed, their function and legal justification, as well as a list of databases accessed by its surveillance equipment.

The privacy watchdog also targeted Arezzo, a city in Tuscany, where police officers would soon be outfitted with infrared super glasses that could read licence plates. Using face recognition technology, private companies have also been developing technology. Mastercard introduced a 'smile to pay' method earlier this year in an effort to speed up the checkout process for customers.

The business started testing the function in Brazil and announced that Middle Eastern and Asian pilots would follow. At the time, the news had sparked questions about the privacy protection for users, the preservation of their data, and the dangers of automatic facial recognition systems being used for crime and racism.