Push for import ban on 'pervert' smart glasses amid privacy concerns
Support is growing for a ban on the import of so-called “smart glasses”, amid an influx of low-cost devices that are being used to film Australians without their consent.
A proposed 12-month import ban on smart glasses and other wearable recording devices is set to be introduced to the Senate, amid growing concerns over privacy breaches. The Greens and several independent crossbenchers support the bill, which addresses the prevalence of low-cost devices capable of surreptitious filming and audio recording.
These "smart glasses," dubbed "pervert glasses" by critics, have sparked petitions demanding restrictions, garnering tens of thousands of signatures. The Greens argue that the current privacy laws are insufficient to protect Australians in the face of a flood of such devices. Senator David Shoebridge warned that allowing these devices to enter the market unchecked could lead to pervasive privacy violations.
While the bill would include exceptions for legitimate uses, such as aiding people with vision impairments, it aims to extend the Privacy Act to encompass individual users and provide additional enforcement powers for the Privacy Commissioner. Critics emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to address privacy concerns, including the potential for these devices to facilitate doxxing, online shaming, and harassment.
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