LHC seeks report on Punjab action against spy glasses, covert recording devices

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed the Punjab government to submit a report on steps taken to enforce restrictions on spy glasses and other covert recording devices, weeks after the provincial government announced a ban on their use under Section 144.

The development comes weeks after the Punjab government announced plans to impose Section 144 to prohibit the use of spy glasses, camera-equipped pens, key chains and button cameras over concerns about privacy violations and covert recording.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari announced the decision on October 19, saying that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz had directed the Home Department to launch a crackdown on the devices to protect citizens’ privacy and personal information.

During Thursday’s hearing, the LHC chief justice directed the provincial government’s counsel to submit a report detailing the practical steps taken in this regard.

The court also examined a report submitted by the Ministry of Commerce, with the chief justice noting that the ministry had informed the court that provincial governments had also been approached on the matter. The chief justice asked the federal government’s counsel whether the issue of smart glasses had formally been taken up.

The federal government’s lawyer told the court that the matter had been raised in compliance with judicial directions and referred to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). It would subsequently be forwarded to the federal cabinet, the lawyer added.

The counsel further informed the court that letters had been sent to both federal and provincial governments.

The chief justice directed the federal government’s representative to clarify when the matter would be placed before the cabinet and asked the authorities to take practical measures before submitting a report.

Meanwhile, Additional Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Atif Amir appeared before the court and submitted a report.

According to the report, no complaint concerning recordings made through smart glasses, or any application filed by a citizen affected by such recording, was currently pending before the agency.

The petition seeks regulatory action against smart glasses capable of capturing photographs, audio and video, amid concerns about their potential misuse for harassment, illegal surveillance and blackmail.

The court adjourned further proceedings until November 18.