Melbourne Council Cracks Down on ‘Sneaky’ Smart Glasses: Are You Being Filmed Without Knowing It?
- Melbourne’s City of Yarra bans smart glasses from pools, gyms, playgrounds, and childcare centres over fears of covert filming.
- Councillors warn of ‘disturbing technology’ that can capture intimate moments without consent, putting vulnerable community members at risk.
- Experts question the effectiveness of the ban, calling for stricter controls on the wearable devices and updates to Australia’s outdated privacy laws.
- This move follows Brisbane City Council’s similar ban, putting pressure on the federal government to take action and address growing concerns.
The City of Yarra has become the second local government in Australia to take a stand against the growing threat of smart glasses, banning the wearable devices from its leisure centres, playgrounds, and childcare facilities.
The move comes amidst growing concerns over the potential for covert filming, particularly of vulnerable members of the community, including children, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
The ban, which was voted in by councillors last night, will make exceptions for individuals who are hearing impaired, have low vision, or other disabilities that are aided by the smart glasses.
However, for everyone else, the message is clear: smart glasses are not welcome in these public spaces.
Councillor Sophie Wade, who forwarded the motion, expressed her concerns about the technology, stating that “these glasses are pretty cheap and lots of people could have them very soon.”
Smart glasses have been available for several years, but it’s only recently that concerns over privacy have grown, as cheaper versions of the technology have hit the market for under $100.
The federal government has signalled that it has no plans to ban the importation of smart glasses, instead leaving it up to local councils to govern the wearable technology.
This has led to criticism from councillors, who argue that they are being left to deal with the consequences of a lack of federal action.
Yarra councillor Andrew Davies acknowledged that he would not normally support a motion that shifted more responsibility and cost onto local governments, but in this case, he felt it was necessary.
“Cr Wade’s got a really good point, and we need to do something,” he said.
Mayor Stephen Jolly echoed these sentiments, stating that the municipality was taking action because “we don’t trust the tech bros to do it, and the federal government, unfortunately, haven’t brought in legislation on this matter.”
The ban is set to be enforced within days, with councillors warning that the devices can be misused in public areas such as toilets, swimming pools, and playgrounds.
Federal Attorney General Michelle Rowland has acknowledged community concerns about smart glasses and has not ruled out taking further action to address the risks. However, councillor Evangeline Aston voted against the motion, arguing that the council should not lobby the federal government to update its privacy laws.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The ban on smart glasses in Melbourne’s City of Yarra is a clear indication that local governments are taking the issue of wearable technology seriously. However, experts are warning that more needs to be done to address the risks associated with these devices.
“We need more controls on the glasses to start with,” said former Victorian police officer and cybersecurity expert Susan McLean. “In a perfect world, they wouldn’t be available.”
Security analysts say that the lack of regulation around wearable technology is a ticking time bomb, waiting to be exploited by those with malicious intentions. Law enforcement insiders warn that the devices can be used to capture intimate moments without consent, putting vulnerable members of the community at risk.
Industry observers believe that the ban is a step in the right direction but argue that more needs to be done to update Australia’s outdated privacy laws.
The move by the City of Yarra is likely to put pressure on the federal government to take action and address growing concerns over wearable technology.
As the use of smart glasses becomes more widespread, it’s clear that something needs to be done to protect the community. The question is, will the federal government step up and take action, or will it be left to local councils to deal with the consequences?