Australia eyes world-leading ban on smart glasses over privacy
Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher has asked the Australian public service for advice on whether to prohibit smart glasses in commonwealth workplaces citing privacy and security concerns.
The Albanese government is weighing whether to ban smart glasses from federal offices, Centrelink centres, and research facilities like CSIRO. Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher said the glasses pose real privacy and security risks.
They can record and capture information. The government has chosen not to impose a sweeping import ban and is letting individual workplaces set their own rules.
Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney councils have already banned the glasses from pools and playgrounds. A University of Sydney study looked at smart glasses videos posted online.
Researchers found 60 per cent could be classified as potential harassment. No national government has yet imposed such a workplace ban.
- 60 per cent of sample
- Harassment risk rate
- University of Sydney
- Study location
- No national government ban yet
- Government precedent
- Federal offices, Centrelink, CSIRO
- Workplace types covered
Why it mattersAs this technology spreads, organisations need clear rules to protect privacy in shared spaces. But we must not block people with disabilities who use the glasses as a support tool.
AustraliaIf adopted, a federal ban would set a standard for Australian workplaces and potentially influence state governments' approach to the technology in schools and hospitals they run.
Corroborated byinnovationaus.com·abc.net.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
