Regulator Calls for Safer Smart Glasses Design Now

Australia's online safety regulator has issued crucial advice to smart glasses companies, advocating for the automatic blurring of faces in recordings and clear visual cues when the devices are filming. These recommendations aim to address significant privacy and safety concerns associated with the evolving technology. While smart glasses offer potential accessibility benefits for visually impaired individuals, the eSafety commissioner highlighted the risk of these benefits being overshadowed by misuse.

The regulator noted that the current industry practice of placing the onus on consumers to use the devices responsibly is insufficient. "The harms linked to covert recording are not hypothetical. They are real and already occurring," stated the eSafety commission, referencing instances of women being filmed without consent and their content shared online, often accompanied by misogynistic commentary.

Developers are urged to embed safer design practices from the outset, including non-disableable recording indicators and automatic face blurring for individuals who have not given informed consent. The federal government is exploring privacy reforms to manage these devices, although an immediate ban is not anticipated. Meanwhile, legislative proposals for a temporary ban are being considered by some political parties.