Greens propose 12-month import ban on smart glasses in Australia

The Greens are preparing to introduce legislation in the Australian Federal Parliament to impose a 12-month temporary ban on the importation of camera-enabled smart glasses and other covert wearable devices. The move aims to address growing privacy concerns regarding devices that can record video and audio without the knowledge of others.

The proposed legislation would target various products, including Meta’s Ray-Ban and Oakley ranges as well as budget-friendly options like Kmart’s Anko brand. Senator David Shoebridge noted that while high-end tech can cost over $500, cheaper versions are widely available for under $100.

In addition to the import ban, the bill seeks to amend the Privacy Act to ensure that filming, storing, or sharing footage from these devices without consent constitutes a legal breach. The proposal would also grant the Information Commissioner and eSafety Commissioner powers to investigate complaints and issue penalties.

The push follows a Monash University study indicating that some owners use the devices to secretly record people in private settings such as workplaces, beaches, and change rooms. While the ban would include exemptions for genuine disability aids, many schools have already prohibited the devices to prevent cheating and the creation of deepfakes.