Australian Councils Seek Smart Glasses Bans
Australian Councils Seek Smart Glasses Bans
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Key Points
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Canterbury-Bankstown Council’s decision was unanimous, and Mayor Bilal El-Hayek referred to the devices as “pervert glasses” while warning they could be used to secretly film people in change rooms, pools and near schools.
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The proposed Canterbury-Bankstown rules would give staff practical enforcement powers, including ordering patrons to remove the glasses, confiscating the devices and ejecting people who refuse to comply.
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The Canterbury-Bankstown restriction covers four named facilities: Canterbury Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Birrong Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Max Parker Leisure Centre in Revesby and Roselands Aquatic Centre.
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Kmart Australia’s lower-cost alternative to Meta’s smart glasses sold out nationwide in less than a week, illustrating how quickly the technology has moved into the Australian consumer market.
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Wollongong councillor Jess Whittaker said the proposed review should examine the implications of restrictions for people with disabilities, including vision-impaired users who may depend on smart glasses for everyday assistance.
Australian councils are moving to ban camera-equipped smart glasses from pools, gyms, playgrounds and schools, citing privacy risks and concerns about secret recordings of children and other patrons The Guardian. Canterbury-Bankstown Council unanimously approved the first major restriction, with Mayor Bilal El-Hayek calling the devices "pervert glasses" that could be used to film people in change rooms and near schools 7 News.
The ban reflects a wider push across Australian cities to restrict the technology, with Brisbane City and Yarra Council in Victoria also adopting similar rules ABC News. South Australia's Greens leader Robert Simms is preparing legislation to prohibit smart glasses near playgrounds, pools and schools, while Adelaide City Council is considering related action ABC News.
Canterbury-Bankstown Moves First With Strict Rules
Canterbury-Bankstown Council's unanimous decision gives staff clear enforcement powers at four aquatic and leisure centres. Staff can order patrons to remove glasses, confiscate devices, and eject people who refuse to comply 7 News. The restrictions apply to Canterbury Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Birrong Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Max Parker Leisure Centre in Revesby and Roselands Aquatic Centre.
The council plans staff training to implement the rules and may exempt blind and vision-impaired users who depend on the glasses for daily assistance. The debate highlights a key problem: smart glasses look like ordinary eyewear, making detection and enforcement difficult under current Australian laws that generally permit filming in public spaces.
Privacy Fears Drive Action Across Multiple Cities
Smart glasses have become a flashpoint for child-safety concerns. Kmart Australia's lower-cost alternative to Meta's smart glasses sold out nationwide in less than a week, showing how quickly the technology has entered Australian homes Head Topics. The rapid adoption has alarmed councils worried about covert recordings in vulnerable settings.
Wollongong councillor Jess Whittaker is pushing for a report on a local ban. She emphasized that any restrictions must assess impacts on people with disabilities, including vision-impaired users who may rely on smart glasses for everyday assistance ABC News.
Federal Government Signals Support for Restrictions
The Albanese government is considering a "world-leading" ban on smart glasses in federal offices and service centres due to privacy concerns The Guardian. The government has encouraged individual workplaces to set their own policies, signaling broader support for restrictions across Australia.
Adelaide City Council is moving toward similar action, with councillor Phillip Martin calling for an investigation into banning smart glasses in public spaces Adelaide City Council to prevent people being recorded without consent Streamline Feed.
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