Shire looks at smart glasses ban
Cr Mat Morgan wants the devices banned from pools, gyms, playgrounds and childcare centres over covert recording fears.
BASS Coast Shire Council looks set to follow the lead of the City of Yarra and ban the use of smart glasses from all council-run facilities including swimming pools, gyms, playgrounds and childcare centres.
As well as prohibiting the use of glasses with video recording capability, under a Notice of Motion to be moved by Councillor Mat Morgan at the council meeting tomorrow, Wednesday September 16, councillors will also be asked to support writing to the Federal Minister for Communications asking her to “update the Privacy Act so filming, storing, or sharing footage from smart glasses without consent is in breach of the Act.”
“There are rapidly growing concerns in our community about smart glasses being used to covertly record people without their consent or knowledge.
“These glasses have recently been made significantly more affordable and there are instructions online which show users how to remove the ‘recording indicator light’ on these devices,” Cr Morgan wrote in his background notes for councillors.
Council officers have already responded saying they would be prepared to explore the opportunities, challenges and broader community implications of a potential ban on smart glasses, with findings and recommendations to be presented to council before the end of 2026.
