Australia Investigates Smart Glasses Over Covert Filming Risks

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has requested that the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) investigate privacy concerns linked to the rising adoption of smart glasses. The request follows a surge in demand for wearable cameras, specifically a low-cost Anko model sold by Kmart that recently sold out in stores. Rowland warned that these devices allow for more discreet recording than other technologies, potentially infringing on the privacy of women and children.

The investigation follows research from the University of Technology Sydney showing that ambient capture is frequently used by pick-up artists to film women without consent, with 60 percent of analyzed interactions classified as potential harassment. While filming in public is generally legal in Australia, critics argue that wearable cameras bypass traditional privacy expectations. Campaigner Gina Martin has launched a petition with over 21,000 signatures urging Kmart to remove the $89 glasses from sale.

Kmart has defended the product as part of an established and mainstream category of wearable technology. Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind confirmed her office is monitoring the market and has questioned at least one company regarding device functionality. The federal government is currently working on privacy law reforms to address the risks associated with wearable technology.