Key facts
- Canterbury-Bankstown Council has banned AI smart glasses at its public pools.
- Mayor Bilal El-Hayek described the glasses as "pervert glasses" due to privacy and safety concerns.
- Concerns exist about the potential for covert filming in changing rooms, pools, and around schools.
- Brisbane, Yarra, and Randwick councils have also implemented similar bans.
- The bans are intended to protect child safety and prevent unwanted video surveillance.
- Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland is reviewing privacy laws related to new technologies like smart glasses.
Canterbury-Bankstown Council, one of Sydney's largest, has joined a growing number of Australian councils in banning AI smart glasses at public swimming pools. The decision, made Tuesday evening, aims to address mounting concerns over the potential for these devices to be exploited for privacy violations and covert filming.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek characterized the glasses as "pervert glasses" during the council meeting, highlighting fears that predators could use their high-resolution cameras and AI features to secretly record individuals, particularly in sensitive areas like changing rooms, pools, and near schools. These concerns have been amplified by reports of women being filmed without consent and their interactions posted online.
Brisbane City Council was the first to publicly announce a ban on covert filming at its 21 public pools last month, citing child safety. Following Brisbane's lead, Yarra Council in inner Melbourne also voted to prohibit smart glasses at its leisure facilities, childcare centres, and playgrounds, and has called for stronger federal privacy laws. Randwick Council in Sydney has similarly banned the technology at its Des Renford leisure centre.
Digital Rights Watch policy head Tom Sulston commended the councils' actions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring public spaces remain safe from unwanted surveillance. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has acknowledged the complexity of regulating such new technologies and has not ruled out a ban, having previously requested the privacy commissioner prioritize consideration of community concerns regarding smart glasses. The eSafety commissioner has also advised smart glasses companies to implement features like automatic face blurring to mitigate privacy risks.