With summer around the corner, West Vic locals will soon be back at their local pools, parks and beaches. But this year could also bring a privacy concern hiding in plain sight: smart glasses.
They can take phone calls, check the weather, answer questions through an AI system and discreetly record video footage. Of major concern is the fact that lights showing when a pair of glasses is recording can be disabled, making it impossible to know if you are being filmed.
While Warrnambool, Corangamite and Southern Grampians acknowledge the growing potential for breaches of privacy through the technology, none have plans to follow other councils by introducing a specific ban.
Easier to access: Smart glasses have been on the market since 2021, but rapid development in their features have made them more streamlined and cheaper to buy.
Meta’s range of glasses cost between $330 to $830, while Kmart and Temu’s cheaper versions retail for $40 to $90.
Councils taking action: The ability to covertly record footage using these glasses has prompted City of Yarra council in Melbourne to impose bans on their use in areas such as pools and childcare centres, following Brisbane City Council’s ban earlier this month.
Local level: Warrnambool City Council CEO Andrew Mason told the Brolga in a statement existing rules already restricted filming at council facilities.
“Taking photographs at our kinders and early learning centres is not permitted unless it’s with an authorised device,” he said.
Taking photos or video at the city’s Aquazone outdoor pool is also prohibited without permission from staff.
While a ban would be difficult to enforce in areas such as parks or beaches, Mason said he would prefer to see a nationwide approach to regulating the technology.
Policy already in place: Southern Grampians Shire mayor Dennis Heslin told the Brolga the council would “monitor and adapt our policies as the technology changes”.
“All patrons using council facilities are expected to comply with council's child safe standards, privacy policy, CCTV Policy, local laws relating to filming, and any facility-specific terms and conditions, including those at council-operated swimming pools.”
Corangamite Shire Council CEO David Rae said the use of smart glasses fell under existing policies that deal with digital recording devices, but reminded residents of their obligations under state and local government law.
“The Federal Surveillance Devices Act 2004 and Victorian Surveillance Devices Act 1999 cover data surveillance, listening, optical and tracking devices. They restrict ordinary citizens from covertly recording private conversations or activities without proper consent,” he said in a statement.
The maximum penalty for offences under these acts is 10 years in prison.
“Under the Filming Approval Act 2014, people need council permission and possibly a permit to conduct commercial filming on public land managed by the council.”