Australian Government considers smart glasses ban in Commonwealth workplaces

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.