Ballarat woman Heidi Biggin, who has been legally blind since she was 22, says AI smart glasses have given her independence she never expected. She says she would not get another guide dog because of them. Ms Biggin says she is often stopped by people who accuse her of filming them, because the glasses light up when in use. She is also concerned about a ban on smart glasses in Victorian schools from term one next year, saying exemption details are unclear. Guide Dogs Victoria says a guide dog or white cane should remain a person's primary mobility aid.
Councils on Sydney's North Shore want smart glasses banned from indoor public facilities such as pools, libraries and community centres. North Sydney and Mosman councils have asked for the ban and for signage to be installed. Willoughby Council will debate a similar motion on Monday evening. City of Sydney and Inner West Council already have such bans. Mosman has also asked staff to examine restricting use at beaches, parks and foreshore areas. Mayor Anne-Marie Kimber said enforcement may be difficult but the idea is worth examining as a deterrent.
The Victorian government has pledged to ban smart glasses across every school in the state, including at sports carnivals and excursions. The ban would apply to public, independent and Catholic schools from the start of the 2027 school year. In public schools, it would also cover staff, parents and volunteers on school grounds and at off-campus events. Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gabrielle Williams said the rules aim to help students focus on learning and keep school environments respectful and safe.
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The ACT Government may ban smart glasses with built-in cameras from its workplaces and sensitive facilities, including public schools and pools. The government has requested urgent advice and says it will act soon. Canberra Liberals plan a motion in the Legislative Assembly calling for the ban, with exemptions for disability, medical and educational use. Several councils, including Queanbeyan and Palerang and Yass Valley, have already moved to restrict the devices. The government says existing laws may need review as wearable technology spreads.
A growing number of Victorian councils are moving to ban smart glasses from pools, childcare centres, playgrounds and recreation centres. Sixteen of the state's 79 local authorities are investigating or introducing such measures. Frankston City Council has resolved to look at further restrictions, and the City of Melbourne has installed signs prohibiting smart glasses at its pools and recreation facilities. Disability advocates want exceptions for people with accessibility needs. Behavioural scientist Stephen Fisher says signs and bans are unlikely to deter people who intend to harass or secretly record women.
HTC began selling its $499 Vive Eagle smart glasses in the United States in September. The glasses include cameras, frame speakers and an AI assistant, and the company says they are designed to protect people around the wearer as well as the user. A bright indicator light stops recording when covered, and footage is stored on the glasses rather than sent to the phone or cloud. HTC's enterprise sales head, Dan McDowell, says the company does not use wearers' information to train AI models.
A bug has allowed Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to record without the wearer intending it, even while the indicator light is active. Meta has previously said the light shows when audio or video is being recorded. Contractors for Sama, a Kenya-based data annotation company, say they have viewed footage shot by the glasses, apparently without the wearer or others in the video knowing. The reports have led to a US class action lawsuit and an investigation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Meta updated the glasses in August so they will not record when the indicator light is covered.
Liberal MP Angie Bell has called for the Prime Minister and Small Business Minister Anne Aly to be "stoned in the square" over the tax office's ban on credit card payments. Bell made the remarks while supporting a private member's bill from shadow treasurer Tim Wilson that would force the tax office to reinstate credit card payments. She later withdrew the remarks about ten minutes after making them. Labor earlier delayed the ban until next July. The Coalition's attempt to suspend standing orders to introduce Wilson's bill failed in the House of Representatives.
Disability advocates say negative labels such as pervert glasses are unfair to people who rely on smart glasses. Chris Edwards, who is blind, says the technology gives him new independence in daily tasks. Matt Henderson, who is deaf, uses the devices for live captions in meetings. Meanwhile, governments and councils are debating restrictions after the glasses were used to film people secretly. Greens senator David Shoebridge plans a bill for a 12-month import ban, with an exemption for disability aids.
Kyogle Council will vote today on whether to prohibit AI-enabled smart glasses in council facilities such as libraries and council buildings. Mayor Danielle Mulholland proposed the motion, citing privacy concerns in places such as toilets, change rooms, showers and the pool. The council already restricts unauthorised recording, and the proposal would apply those rules to smart glasses and other wearable recording devices. Legitimate uses, such as accessibility support and approved sporting activities, could still be permitted with consent. Other councils, including Brisbane, Yarra and Adelaide, are also considering similar measures.
Hobart City Council has moved to ban smart glasses at the Aquatic Centre, which it runs, under its conditions of entry. Council representative Ben Artup told Hobart Breakfast host Ryk Goddard that the council has acted after receiving many responses from the community and others about AI glasses at the centre. Artup also addressed how the ban will work and whether there will be any exemptions.
Meta's upcoming VR Glasses, priced at $1,299, impressed with their video quality and comfort during a recent demonstration. Meanwhile, Xreal's Xreal Aura glasses, starting at $1,279, offer mixed-reality experiences on Android and will ship later this year. Both devices allow users to watch videos, play games, or set up multi-monitor workspaces, with varying degrees of polish. The Aura glasses feature real-world passthrough, making them more suitable for mobility, while Meta's glasses excel in content consumption and typing. Both require an attached compute puck and will launch in select regions, including the US and Canada.
Byron Shire councillors will consider a proposal to ban camera-equipped smart glasses at public pools, libraries, and childcare facilities. Greens councillor Michelle Lowe wants staff to investigate a prohibition and report back on implementation. The restrictions would apply to staff, councillors, contractors, and the public, with exemptions for disability or accessibility needs. Council staff will examine legal and financial implications before any ban is imposed.
