Australia probes app used in cheap smart glasses over privacy fears

Sydney, Australia is investigating the data practices of the manufacturer behind an app utilized in budget smart glasses, according to the country's data protection watchdog. The app, known as HeyCyan, is used in the Anko smart glasses sold for as low as AU$89 at retailers like K-mart throughout Australia. The Information Commissioner of Australia (OAIC) has sent preliminary inquiries to several companies, including Meta, Kmart, Google, and the app's maker, Shenzhen Qingcheng, about their data recording and storage processes.

However, Shenzhen Qingcheng has not responded to the OAIC's inquiries, raising concerns about the company's compliance with the Privacy Act and its ability to protect Australian citizens' personal information. The OAIC has also urged retailers to reconsider selling the smart glasses due to the investigation, citing the potential risks associated with the HeyCyan app.

Recently, there have been growing calls for action against what campaigners term "perverted" smart glasses, following the emergence of secretly recorded footage of women and girls online. Norway has proposed a temporary ban on smart glasses in public spaces, while France's child welfare group reported receiving around 20 cases of women being filmed without consent, often using Meta glasses.