Adelaide City Council and Fringe Venue Explore Smart Glasses Bans Amid Privacy Concerns

The Adelaide City Council is set to discuss a potential investigation into restricting or banning AI smart glasses in public spaces, following similar moves by other local government authorities across Australia. Adelaide city councillor Phillip Martin plans to put forward a formal motion next week calling for an examination of potential restrictions on glasses equipped with built-in cameras within council-managed areas such as parklands, libraries, and meeting halls.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the push for local restrictions comes amid growing national debate over non-consensual recording devices. Cr Martin expressed specific concerns regarding the covert recording of women and children, highlighting reports made to the eSafety Commissioner involving individuals recording interactions without consent to use on social media or for malicious purposes.

The debate has intensified alongside a drop in retail prices for wearable technology. While early smart glasses models, such as the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, could cost up to $700, newer and more affordable options have entered the market, including lower-cost Meta variants and an $89 alternative sold by Kmart Australia. Both Meta and Wesfarmers, the owner of Kmart, were contacted by ABC for comment but did not respond.

Adelaide's potential scrutiny follows active measures taken by other Australian councils. Last month, Yarra City Council in Melbourne banned smart glasses in playgrounds, childcare centres, and gyms. In August, Brisbane City Council introduced a blanket ban on the non-consensual use of all camera-enabled wearable technology, phones, and action cameras.

Private businesses in Adelaide are also weighing similar policies. Daniel Michael, co-director of the prominent Adelaide Fringe venue Gluttony, indicated potential support for restricting the devices at the venue. He noted that patrons with young children or attendees at events like burlesque shows would not want clandestine filming, comparing the restriction of unapproved recording devices to existing rules prohibiting weapons at public venues.

However, the push for localized bans has met resistance from disability advocates and technology experts who emphasize the significant benefits the devices offer. Michael Hutchinson, chair of the See Differently Client Advisory Committee, stressed that smart glasses can be transformative for blind or low-vision users by helping them identify objects and read labels. Hutchinson cautioned against labeling the technology negatively and expressed concern over individual cafes or groups implementing blanket bans without consulting disability communities.

Legislative action is also progressing at the state level. South Australian Greens MP Robert Simms announced plans to introduce a bill to state parliament next month aimed at outlawing smart glasses in specific settings, including schools, childcare centres, playgrounds, swimming pools, and gyms. The proposed legislation is expected to include exemptions for disability aids.

At the federal level, the Australian government stated last month that it is not currently considering an import ban on smart glasses, suggesting instead that the devices could be regulated locally by councils. Meanwhile, the Local Government Association (LGA) of South Australia noted that the rapid development and adoption of wearable technology has outpaced existing regulations, calling for clear, coordinated rules established across state and federal jurisdictions.

Enforcement and practicality remain key challenges for local authorities. Mohiuddin Ahmed, a cyber governance expert from Adelaide University, acknowledged that while smart glasses possess legitimate applications, using them around others without consent constitutes a significant privacy violation. Dr Ahmed noted that while banning the devices could deter malicious activity, policing individual use would pose enforcement difficulties for councils, suggesting that broader measures targeting supply at a national level might prove more effective.

Cr Martin's proposed investigation into local rules currently holds the backing of several other councillors, including Eleanor Freeman, who suggested the council evaluate the outcomes of similar restrictions implemented in Melbourne and Brisbane before determining the next course of action.