Greens push 12-month import ban on covert smart glasses amid privacy fears
The Greens, backed by several independents, plan to table a Senate bill that would halt imports of smart glasses and other wearable recorders for a year until stronger privacy rules are enacted.
Amid growing public alarm over low-cost smart glasses that can record video and audio surreptitiously, the Greens are set to launch a Senate bill that would suspend imports of such devices for at least twelve months. The proposal, which enjoys the backing of independents David Pocock and Kate Chaney, also aims to expand the Privacy Act to make it illegal to film, store or distribute recordings from wearable devices without explicit consent, extending liability to individuals as well as organisations.
Greens senator David Shoebridge warned that a flood of these gadgets could leave no private spaces untouched and urged a pre-emptive pause. While Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has voiced privacy concerns, the government has not announced a comparable ban. Advocacy groups such as Digital Rights Watch and Electronic Frontiers Australia have highlighted real-world misuse in gyms and beaches, calling for stronger safeguards. The bill includes exemptions for legitimate uses, such as assistance for people with vision impairments, and proposes additional powers and funding for the Privacy Commissioner.
Why it matters
A ban could curb covert surveillance and force Australia to update privacy laws for emerging wearable tech.
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