Victoria
Victorian councils ban smart glasses from public pools
One fifth of Victoria's councils are moving to ban covert recording devices like smart glasses from public pools over privacy concerns.
Local governments across Victoria are taking preemptive action to ban smart glasses and other covert recording devices from public swimming pools and leisure centres, amid growing concerns over patron privacy.
According to a wire report, approximately one fifth of the state's municipal councils have confirmed they are either actively investigating or already implementing policies to prohibit these high-tech devices. The move comes as wearable technology becomes increasingly discreet, making it difficult for staff and patrons to distinguish between standard eyewear and devices capable of capturing video or photos.
Local authorities are focusing their efforts on community pools and recreation facilities, where expectations of privacy are particularly high. The rapid development of smart glasses, which can record high-definition footage at the touch of a button or through voice commands, has prompted councils to review their existing photography and filming policies.
While many public pools already have strict rules regarding the use of smartphones and cameras in change rooms and pool halls, the integration of recording technology into everyday items like spectacles presents a new challenge for facility operators. Staff at local centres often lack the training or resources to identify which glasses have recording capabilities, leading some councils to consider broader bans on wearable recording tech altogether.
At this stage, the specific councils implementing the bans have not all been publicly itemised, and the exact enforcement mechanisms remain under discussion. Some municipalities are expected to rely on signage and updated terms of entry, while others may implement staff education programs to help workers identify suspect devices.
To watch next will be whether the Victorian government introduces statewide guidelines to standardise these bans across all municipal leisure facilities.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
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