Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis defended his use of Meta smart glasses during a heated debate in Parliament, saying he intends to continue wearing them at public gatherings so that any criminal acts can be recorded.
The controversy follows criticism over the minister’s decision to wear the Meta glasses during recent visits to the islands of Leros and Limnos.
“I Will Wear the Glasses”
Responding to criticism, Georgiadis said he has no intention of abandoning the device.
“I wear the glasses. The idea came to me after what happened in Nikaia,” he said, referring to an incident at a hospital.
He explained that after the incident, many people asked him for video footage.
“I found plenty of videos showing people insulting me and spitting at me, but everyone wanted the footage of the punch. From now on, when I attend public gatherings, I’ll wear my glasses and any criminal acts will be recorded.”
Opposition Raises Privacy Concerns
The issue was first raised by PASOK parliamentary spokesman Dimitris Mantzos, who sarcastically remarked during the parliamentary session:
“I don’t know which glasses you used to study this amendment, but we’re glad you’re not wearing them here today.”
Alexandros Kazamias, parliamentary representative for the Course of Freedom party, also commented:
“At least you’re not wearing those glasses here.”
Kazamias also criticized the minister for speaking on his mobile phone while he was addressing Parliament.
Mantzos later clarified that PASOK’s objections were not rooted in technophobia, but in the issue of consent.
“You may not respect even your own personal data, but the question is whether those being recorded have given their consent.”
Georgiadis: “There Is No Privacy Issue at Public Gatherings”
In response, Georgiadis argued that no privacy rules had been violated.
“I wasn’t at a private meeting but at a public gathering, where there is no issue concerning personal data. There were another 25 cameras present, and everyone knew it was a public event being recorded.”
He added that recordings of criminal offenses can legally be presented as evidence in court.
Criticism of Course of Freedom
Georgiadis also dismissed criticism from the Course of Freedom party, accusing its leader of routinely recording people.
“For the Course of Freedom to express concern about someone recording people with smart glasses is hypocrisy, when its leader records everyone who walks and everyone who speaks.”
He also took aim at party leader Zoe Konstantopoulou, saying:
“If you sit next to Zoe Konstantopoulou, you should probably go confess to a priest. She has subjected MPs to greater torment than anyone else.”
Attack on PASOK MP Panagiotis Doudonis
The health minister also criticized PASOK MP Panagiotis Doudonis over his speech in Parliament on the smart glasses issue.
Georgiadis said he had uploaded Doudonis’ speech to his social media account “so people could see how pitiful it was,” describing the lawmaker as a “self-styled professor of law” and accusing him of showing personal bias.
The minister concluded by saying he fully respects personal data protection laws but predicted that smart glasses will become far more common within a year, “whether you like it or not,” while describing PASOK as “culturally primitive.”
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