Technology
Australia's eSafety commissioner urges smartglasses makers to auto-blur faces and fix recording alerts
The country's online safety regulator recommends safety-by-design features as lawmakers and advocates debate temporary bans and privacy law reforms.
The short version
- Australia's eSafety commissioner published industry advice calling on smartglasses developers to automatically blur unconsenting people's faces and install tamper-proof recording indicators.
- The regulator warned that covert filming, including harassment and public recording without consent, is causing real harm as the devices become cheaper and more widespread.
- Australian lawmakers and digital rights advocates are pushing for a 12-month ban or updated surveillance laws, while the federal government prepares draft privacy reforms.
Key facts
- The eSafety commission issued advice urging smartglasses makers to design devices that automatically blur faces of people who have not given consent and prevent visual recording indicators from being obscured or disabled.[The Guardian]
- The eSafety commissioner currently lacks enforcement powers to compel smartglasses manufacturers to implement these design changes.[The Guardian]
- The Greens and several crossbenchers plan to introduce a private member's bill seeking a 12-month ban on smartglasses while privacy regulations are updated.[The Guardian]
- Australia's Attorney General asked Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind to evaluate the privacy implications of smartglasses and is preparing an exposure draft for privacy law updates.[The Guardian]
- Brisbane City Council announced plans to ban recording devices, including smartglasses, from public swimming pools.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Whether Australian federal regulators or the privacy commissioner currently possess legal authority to issue a direct ban on smartglasses.[The Guardian]
- Whether upcoming federal privacy reform legislation will include explicit restrictions or mandates targeting smartglasses features.[The Guardian]