Western Australian Towns Ban Smart Glasses at Public Facilities Over Privacy Concerns
By Chloe · Published 28 Oct 2026 · Updated 28 Oct 2026
Augusta, WA
Safety note: Admin approval is an initial review, not a guarantee that every detail is correct. Check important or urgent claims with official sources and report anything inaccurate or unsafe.
Source and credit: Contributor's own report
Smart summary
Regional councils are restricting wearable recording glasses at swimming pools, libraries and other public facilities amid concerns about people being filmed without their knowledge.
Local governments across Western Australia are introducing restrictions on smart glasses at public facilities, responding to concerns that the devices could allow people to record others without their knowledge or consent.
Smart glasses look similar to ordinary eyewear but can contain miniature cameras, microphones and other electronic features. Depending on the model, users can take photographs, record video and capture audio through discreet controls. Their appearance can make it difficult for people nearby to recognise when recording is taking place.
The Shire of Kondinin, about 270 kilometres east of Perth, has banned smart glasses at several council facilities. The restrictions cover the public swimming pool, libraries, council offices, public toilets and community halls. The shire has also prohibited their use at council events. However, its rules do not give the council authority to ban the devices from public streets or parks.
Shire president Ken Mouritz said the council was concerned about reports of inappropriate recording using the technology in other places. The local government chose to introduce restrictions proactively rather than wait for a specific incident to occur within its community.
A similar approach has been adopted by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River in Western Australia's South West. Its restrictions cover recreation centres, including the local swimming pool. Shire president Julia Jean-Rice said the policy was designed to help people feel comfortable and respected while using shared facilities.
The concern is particularly significant in locations where people may expect greater privacy, such as swimming pools, change rooms, public toilets and areas used by children. A person wearing smart glasses could potentially capture images or audio without the obvious signs associated with a traditional camera or mobile phone.
The Shire of Cue, in the state's Midwest region, has introduced a different set of restrictions. Its policy prevents staff, councillors and contractors from using smart glasses at council facilities, including the local caravan park and water park. People using the facilities can also be required to switch off and store recording devices under the relevant rules.
The issue is also being considered in metropolitan Perth. The City of Perth has discussed reviewing the use of smart glasses and other wearable recording devices at city-owned and managed sites. A decision is expected after further consideration of the privacy risks and possible policy responses.
The spread of these restrictions reflects a broader national debate about emerging wearable technology. Smart glasses can be useful for navigation, accessibility, hands-free communication and everyday tasks. For some people with disabilities, the devices may provide valuable assistance, including access to information without needing to handle a phone.
Disability advocates have warned that broad restrictions and negative descriptions of the technology could stigmatise people who rely on it for essential activities. Some local policies therefore include exceptions for medical or accessibility-related needs.
The privacy debate extends beyond individual councils. Australia's privacy regulator has been examining how existing laws apply to wearable devices capable of collecting personal information. Questions include whether people are adequately informed when their images or voices are captured and what responsibilities manufacturers and service providers have when storing or processing recordings.
For councils, the challenge is to protect visitors without unnecessarily preventing legitimate uses of new technology. Clear rules, visible notices, consistent enforcement and reasonable exemptions may all be important as wearable cameras become more common.
The Western Australian restrictions illustrate how local authorities are beginning to respond to technology that has developed faster than many existing public-facility policies. Further reviews and public discussion are likely as councils determine how to balance privacy, safety, accessibility and personal choice.
GlassesPeopleRestrictionsSmartCouncil
Local governments across Western Australia are introducing restrictions on smart glasses at public facilities, responding to concerns that the devices could allow people to record others without their knowledge or consent.
Smart glasses look similar to ordinary eyewear but can contain miniature cameras, microphones and other electronic features. Depending on the model, users can take photographs, record video and capture audio through discreet controls. Their appearance can make it difficult for people nearby to recognise when recording is taking place.
The Shire of Kondinin, about 270 kilometres east of Perth, has banned smart glasses at several council facilities. The restrictions cover the public swimming pool, libraries, council offices, public toilets and community halls. The shire has also prohibited their use at council events. However, its rules do not give the council authority to ban the devices from public streets or parks.
Shire president Ken Mouritz said the council was concerned about reports of inappropriate recording using the technology in other places. The local government chose to introduce restrictions proactively rather than wait for a specific incident to occur within its community.
A similar approach has been adopted by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River in Western Australia's South West. Its restrictions cover recreation centres, including the local swimming pool. Shire president Julia Jean-Rice said the policy was designed to help people feel comfortable and respected while using shared facilities.
The concern is particularly significant in locations where people may expect greater privacy, such as swimming pools, change rooms, public toilets and areas used by children. A person wearing smart glasses could potentially capture images or audio without the obvious signs associated with a traditional camera or mobile phone.
The Shire of Cue, in the state's Midwest region, has introduced a different set of restrictions. Its policy prevents staff, councillors and contractors from using smart glasses at council facilities, including the local caravan park and water park. People using the facilities can also be required to switch off and store recording devices under the relevant rules.
The issue is also being considered in metropolitan Perth. The City of Perth has discussed reviewing the use of smart glasses and other wearable recording devices at city-owned and managed sites. A decision is expected after further consideration of the privacy risks and possible policy responses.
The spread of these restrictions reflects a broader national debate about emerging wearable technology. Smart glasses can be useful for navigation, accessibility, hands-free communication and everyday tasks. For some people with disabilities, the devices may provide valuable assistance, including access to information without needing to handle a phone.
Disability advocates have warned that broad restrictions and negative descriptions of the technology could stigmatise people who rely on it for essential activities. Some local policies therefore include exceptions for medical or accessibility-related needs.
The privacy debate extends beyond individual councils. Australia's privacy regulator has been examining how existing laws apply to wearable devices capable of collecting personal information. Questions include whether people are adequately informed when their images or voices are captured and what responsibilities manufacturers and service providers have when storing or processing recordings.
For councils, the challenge is to protect visitors without unnecessarily preventing legitimate uses of new technology. Clear rules, visible notices, consistent enforcement and reasonable exemptions may all be important as wearable cameras become more common.
The Western Australian restrictions illustrate how local authorities are beginning to respond to technology that has developed faster than many existing public-facility policies. Further reviews and public discussion are likely as councils determine how to balance privacy, safety, accessibility and personal choice.
Concerns are growing over the reliability and availability of Australia's public electric vehicle charging network, with thousands of charging points po...
Residents have rallied against a proposed 1,200-megawatt artificial intelligence data centre near Tungkillo, raising concerns about water supplies, land...
Students at the University of New South Wales are learning how artificial intelligence bots operate, how to identify them online and how to reduce their...
The Shire of Harvey is weighing the cost of repairing its only public electric-vehicle charging station as ageing infrastructure puts pressure on local...
A fisherman escaped unharmed after a large crocodile climbed onto his boat while he was fishing alone on the Mary River, prompting renewed safety warnin...
A filmmaker from Bourke in western New South Wales has taken over leadership of an Indigenous film festival in Paris, creating an opportunity to bring A...
Concerns are growing over the reliability and availability of Australia's public electric vehicle charging network, with thousands of charging points po...
Indigenous women are using traditional weaving and craft-making to strengthen cultural connections, preserve knowledge passed down through generations a...
A psychiatric report presented to South Australia's Supreme Court has raised questions about Tamika Chesser's mental competence in the case involving th...
A freedom of information request has revealed that Gold Coast Council does not hold a copy of the invoice for Mayor Tom Tate's three-day stay at Donald...
