The Australian Government is considering restricting or banning the use of smart glasses capable of recording people in Commonwealth workplaces, amid growing concerns about privacy and security.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has asked the Australian Public Service Commission to provide advice on the use of wearable devices such as camera-equipped smart glasses across government workplaces. The review will consider whether the devices should be prohibited and what exemptions may be appropriate.
“Smart glasses can raise legitimate privacy and security concerns, particularly because of their ability to record and capture information,” Gallagher said, adding that the Australian Public Service should set the standard as a “model employer”.
The move follows increasing concern about the availability of relatively inexpensive smart glasses that can discreetly capture photos and video. The government has also asked the Privacy Commissioner to give the technology “priority consideration”.
Smart glasses, including products such as Meta’s camera-equipped Ray-Ban models, have become increasingly capable of recording hands-free, raising questions about how easily people can know when they are being filmed.
The potential Commonwealth workplace restrictions form part of a broader federal focus on AI, privacy and emerging technologies.
Are classrooms next?
While the glasses could be viewed as a helpful learning tool for recording a teacher's class demonstration, privacy concerns ultimately override this benefit regarding students surreptitiously recording their peers. Furthermore, teachers face the challenge of determining whether they have the right to ask students if they are recording the lesson.
This issue is compounded because some smart glasses feature built-in prescription lenses designed for everyday vision correction. This makes them dual-use objects – serving as essential medical eyewear while simultaneously packing covert recording capabilities, which complicates efforts to simply ban or restrict them in the classroom.
The banning of smart glasses in other public places
As summer closes in, and wearable technology continues to evolve, public swimming facilities across Australia are proactively addressing new privacy and safety challenges. A growing number of local councils, including major centres in Brisbane, Melbourne, and New South Wales authorities such as the City of Sydney and Canterbury-Bankstown, have introduced bans on camera-enabled smart glasses at their aquatic complexes.
Because traditional privacy legislation has historically struggled to regulate recording devices in open public spaces, municipal councils are stepping in to establish clear local standards.
By granting venue staff and lifeguards the authority to restrict wearable recording tech, these facilities are prioritizing community trust and privacy. As public support for these measures grows, this localized approach is expected to influence broader community guidelines across Australian beaches and recreational parks.
You can find out more about the misuse of smart glasses on the Australian Governments eSafety Commissioner website.