WA towns back growing trend of smart glasses bans, citing privacy fears

Local governments across Western Australia are moving to ban smart glasses from public sites such as swimming pools and libraries due to privacy concerns.

While appearing similar to ordinary glasses, smart glasses allow wearers to capture images, video and audio at the press of a button.

The capacity for secretive filming has seen them labelled "pervert glasses" by some critics, with concerns over inappropriate behaviour already sparking bans across the country.

In WA, the introduction of the strictest ban in the country on the use of the glasses in public schools spurred multiple local councils into action.

In Kondinin, around 270km east of Perth, the local council has banned the devices from the public swimming pool, libraries, council offices, public toilets and halls.

While unable to restrict their use in public parks or streets, the shire's ruling prohibits smart glasses from any council events.

Shire president Ken Mouritz said the council was concerned about reports of recordings made on the devices at public places around the world.

"We feel out here we are protected from unsavoury activities like that, but we think there is evidence it's occurring elsewhere," he said.

Proactive approach to bans

A similar ban was adopted in WA's South West, with the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River banning smart glasses at its recreation centres, including the local pool.

Shire president Julia Jean-Rice said the council took a proactive measure rather than responding to any specific incidents.

"We can see technology is evolving so quickly … we completely understand that communities are asking what it means for privacy and safety in shared spaces," she told the ABC earlier this month.

"We want to ensure our community feels safe and comfortable and respected when they're using our facilities."

Councillor Jean-Rice said other regional and metropolitan local governments had approached the shire about its plans.

She said those needing to wear the glasses for medical reasons would be permitted.

Disability advocates have stressed the benefits of smart glasses, with many in the community fearing the "pervert glasses" rhetoric could lead to stigma against people using the glasses for essential daily tasks.

Staff, contractors also blocked

In the Midwest, the Shire of Cue banned staff, councillors and contractors from using smart glasses at its facilities, including the town's caravan park and water park.

"It became apparent to us that we have sensitivity within the workplace," shire president Les Price said.

"Seeing the use of smart glasses in reality, it sinks in that potentially there could be problems, particularly around local governments that have public facilities like swimming pools or childcare centres," Cr Price said.

While the policy does not block public use of smart glasses, people can be required to turn off and store any recording device while using shire-owned facilities.

The City of Perth debated the matter at a council meeting overnight, with a motion for the CEO to review the use of smart glasses and wearable recording devices at city-owned and managed sites tabled.

The report said "local governments are facing emerging privacy risks in public and semi-private spaces", citing the city's change rooms and community facilities.

The council is expected to make a decision early next year following the review.