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Crossbenchers push for an import ban on 'pervert' smart glasses (www.abc.net.au)

submitted 2 weeks ago by bignose@awful.systems to c/australianpolitics@aussie.zone

18 comments fedilink hide all child comments

In recent weeks the devices, dubbed "pervert glasses" by some critics for their capacity to film in secret, have inspired two Australian petitions calling for restrictions on their sale and import which attracted tens of thousands of signatures.

Now the Greens, with support of independents, plan to launch a bill when parliament next sits to halt the import of such glasses as well as other wearable recording devices for at least 12 months, until tougher privacy protections are passed into law.

"If we end up having millions of these devices in the country, there'll be no place that's free for your privacy," Greens senator David Shoebridge said.

"Right now it's glasses, but in a month's time it's almost certainly going to be earbuds, maybe it'll be a lapel pin, maybe it'll just be your T-shirt, I don't know".

He said parliament had a narrow window of time to block their large scale importation before such devices "wash through society".

"Maybe we should think ahead for once," Senator Shoebridge said.

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[–] Nath@aussie.zone 0 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

I wasn't arguing for or against the glasses specifically. We actually had a post about those a week or so ago. I'm just pointing out that 'privacy' is a dumb argument to hang your position on. In public, there is no such thing and hasn't been for years (decades).

Those CCTV cameras, dashcams, just randoms filming stuff on the street are all around you. Yes, security and safety are the reasons most of the cameras film everything in front of them. But you do something stupid or funny enough, and that footage is suddenly posted online. You have no agency. You have no recourse to have the footage removed.

If you are out in public, just assume you're on camera. Because odds are decent that you are.

[–] stylusmobilus@aussie.zone 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I’m sorry, I can’t agree, I think it’s a very good one to hang an argument on.

Just because there’s little we can do about CCTV or security cameras, which generally are there for different reasons doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned or dismiss the invasion of privacy these offer.

The issue I have with them is one of privacy invasion, both for me if they’re used on me and particularly women whose privacy is being invaded.Sevuroty ca,eras and their abuse doesn’t alter that for me.

[–] Nath@aussie.zone 0 points 2 weeks ago

Just so we're clear: It's the glasses specifically that you take issue with?
Hats are fine, a pen in a suit pocket is cool. A Cross-body bag is not going to be a problem. And so long as you don't hide it in a pair of glasses, tiny cameras like this can be worn anywhere on someone's body with no problem?

But those glasses - they're totally out. Is that the point where someone is crossing a line?

[–] Tenderizer@aussie.zone 0 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

We shouldn't lump CCTV cameras into the same bucket. Considering what the CC stands for. If someone has to request the recording and a government official has to then share the recording if the request is appropriate, that is a massive difference.