Smart glasses to be banned from WA public schools

Western Australian state education minister Sabine Winton has announced a ban on smart glasses in public schools to prevent unauthorized filming. These devices, which resemble ordinary glasses, can capture images, video, and audio with the press of a button. Education Minister Winton stated that students, teachers, parents, and contractors will be prohibited from wearing or storing smart glasses on school premises starting from the beginning of term 4.

She emphasized that while smart glasses may appear fashionable, there is no place for them in schools. Winton highlighted the growing popularity and affordability of these devices, along with rising community concerns about the risks of inadvertent, criminal, or malicious activities. An ABC investigation revealed that smart glasses have exposed Australians' sensitive data, images, and videos to hackers.

This issue gained prominence after the City of Vincent instructed its chief executive officer to prepare a report assessing privacy and safety concerns related to smart glasses use in city-owned facilities such as recreational centers and libraries. The report will evaluate whether the existing laws in place, which prohibit recording individuals without their consent at community facilities, are adequate and whether additional enforcement measures are necessary.