China’s Smart Glasses Code of Conduct
China wants clear indicators when smart glasses are recording. Its platforms are shipping glasses that never stop listening.
Alibaba integrated its coding agent, Qoder, into eyewear on September 3rd, and Tencent launched its office assistant, WorkBuddy, within co-branded Rokid frames the previous day. These developments are guided by a voluntary code of conduct for smart glasses, initially proposed in June.
The code asks manufacturers to:
- Provide clear indicators when a camera or microphone is active.
- Standardize recording lights.
- Minimize data collection.
- Obtain consent before filming.
While these rules focus on recording acts, Qoder and WorkBuddy are designed for continuous listening, with agents tied to the wearer’s field of view. Alibaba’s Qoder supports full-duplex speech, enabling wearers to interrupt tasks mid-progress.
Rokid, the hardware manufacturer behind both announcements, is also a key player in the development of these smart glasses.
The rise of smart glasses in China
Chinese consumers adopted roughly 2.5 million smart glasses in 2025, representing about one-sixth of global shipments. Rest of World found success with rental markets at around $6 per day for uses like translation and exam cheating.
Smart glasses are also part of China’s national consumption subsidy program, which offers device discounts and encourages industry self-regulation—a strategy that may not be equivalent.
The military’s stance on smart glasses
Interestingly, China’s own institutions have already taken a stand: the military banned smart glasses and connected wearables from its facilities.