With warmer weather fast approaching, trips to local pools or parks will be back on the cards for eastern Melbourne.
However, an extra safety concern is now on the mind of local councils: cheap smart glasses being used to film people without their consent.
While Whitehorse, Boroondara, Monash and Knox acknowledged the growing potential for breaches of privacy through the technology, none have plans to follow other Victorian councils by introducing a specific ban.
What are smart glasses? Looking no different to a normal pair of spectacles or sunglasses at a quick glance, smart glasses allow the user to capture video or photographs, record audio or view notifications on an in-built screen.
While initial models like the Google Glass in 2013 didn’t catch on and were prohibitively expensive, a cheaper version from Meta, including video and audio features, dropped in June.
Kmart Australia released its “dupe” edition for $89 in late July, with stocks quickly selling out online and in store.
What’s happening? Yarra City Council passed a motion in early September to investigate banning smart glasses at council-managed leisure centres, childcare centres and playgrounds, with Bass Coast Shire Council approving a similar approach on Wednesday September 17.
What they said: Closer to the east, Monash City Council mayor Stuart James said the council had not yet considered the issue of smart glasses, but that it was “bigger than council”.
“Technology is evolving quicker than governments can legislate for it,” he told the Eastern Melburnian. “We can restrict photography and videography in council facilities, but we need a broader response from other levels of government that is consistent for all public spaces.”
What they said: A spokesperson for Boroondara City Council said it is not currently considering a ban on smart glasses, but would continue to keep an eye on advancements in technology and changes in privacy protections.
“We do not directly operate leisure centres, childcare or kindergarten services, so any decisions in those settings would be a matter for the relevant provider,” the spokesperson said. “In public places like playgrounds, any restrictions would be difficult to monitor and enforce.”
A spokesperson for Whitehorse City Council said policies and conditions of entry are already in place across its facilities to manage photography and filming.
“The use of smart glasses may fall within these existing arrangements, depending on how they are being used,” the spokesperson said. “Council may consider whether any further investigation or measures are required in the future.
A spokesperson for Knox City Council said while it was aware of discussions on restrictions across other councils, no decision to look into its options had yet been made.
The Eastern Melburnian also contacted the Manningham, Yarra Ranges and Maroondah councils, with Manningham refusing to comment and the remaining two not providing a response before publication.
Thumbnail Image Credit: Xuthoria