Australian businesses ban smart glasses over privacy fears

Businesses and local councils across Australia are moving to ban smart glasses over fears customers are being secretly filmed in public.

The push follows growing privacy concerns as wearable tech like Ray-Ban Meta and Apple Vision Pro becomes more common. Unlike phones, these devices can record discreetly, raising issues about consent and surveillance in places like cafes, gyms, and public pools. Existing privacy laws lag behind the tech, leaving businesses to set their own rules.

Some venues have posted signs banning the devices, while councils in Sydney and Melbourne are reviewing local bylaws to address the gap. Privacy advocates argue current laws don’t clearly cover covert recording in public spaces, leaving people exposed. Tech companies insist their products have clear indicators when recording, but critics say these are easily overlooked.

Legal experts warn the lack of clear regulations could lead to disputes, with businesses caught between customer privacy and enforcement challenges. Without national guidelines, the patchwork of local bans is likely to grow, setting the stage for a broader debate on wearable tech and privacy rights.