Victorian councils move to ban smart glasses from pools and recreation centres

Disability advocates urge caution as local governments act on privacy concerns

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

A growing number of councils across Victoria are banning or investigating bans on smart glasses at public facilities including swimming pools, childcare centres and recreation spaces, citing privacy concerns from residents. The moves come as disability advocates warn the restrictions could inadvertently affect people who rely on the devices as assistive technology.

Sixteen of Victoria's 79 local authorities have confirmed they are actively investigating or implementing measures to prohibit the use of smart glasses in community settings. Frankston City Council resolved this month to investigate further restrictions at its recreation facilities and childcare centres, including the Peninsula Aquatic Centre.

"We want people using our facilities to feel safe and comfortable, and to know that their privacy is being taken seriously," Frankston mayor Sue Baker said. "It is important that we act early and thoughtfully rather than wait for a problem to occur."

Last month the City of Yarra became one of the first councils in the state to implement such measures. Signs prohibiting smart glasses have now been installed at public pools and recreation facilities across the City of Melbourne, including the Melbourne City Baths. Several other councils said their existing conditions of entry already restrict video and photography in ways that extend to smart glasses.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has called for a nationally consistent approach to managing discreet recording devices and practical guidance for councils.

However, disability advocates caution that bans must include exceptions for accessibility needs. Heidi Biggin, who has been legally blind for 16 years, said smart glasses had changed how she navigates the world. AI built into the glasses describes her environment and reads text aloud.

"I can go into a restaurant, hold up a menu and say: 'Hey Meta, look and read the menu items to me'," she said. She said she regularly encounters members of the public upset by seeing the glasses. "Halfway through a walk, I'll have somebody grab me on the arm and say, 'oi, you've just filmed me'," she said. "It is exhausting having to explain every time that I'm actually not filming you — I'm using my assistive technology."

Dana McKay from RMIT University's School of Computing Technologies said councils should include carve-outs for legitimate needs, such as using individual change rooms on an exceptional basis. She also raised broader questions about the privacy of data collected by smart glasses.

Public health expert Stephen Fisher from Australian Catholic University questioned whether local bans address underlying concerns about harassment. "Signs and bans can influence the behaviour of people already inclined to comply with rules, but they are unlikely to deter men who are deliberately seeking to intimidate, harass or secretly record women," he said.

The Victorian Labor government said it was working to understand practical challenges faced by councils. The Liberal-National Coalition said responsibility for regulating the devices lies with the federal government. The Victorian Greens supported consistent regulation not left to councils, while One Nation Victoria MP Rikkie-Lee Tyrell said councils should have autonomy for their communities. A spokesperson for federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government was continuing to examine ways to regulate emerging technologies.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Thousands of Victorians using public pools and recreation centres may be directly affected if smart glasses are banned from these facilities.
The debate highlights a tension between privacy protection and accessibility rights for people with disabilities who rely on the technology.
The patchwork of local council responses could create confusion until a nationally consistent approach emerges.

Background

Smart glasses such as Meta's Ray-Ban line incorporate cameras, microphones and AI assistants, raising concerns about covert recording in sensitive public spaces like changing rooms and pools. Victorian councils are responding to resident privacy fears, but similar debates are playing out elsewhere as the technology becomes more common. The federal government is examining possible regulation, but no national framework yet exists.

Key Perspectives

Councils and privacy advocates: They argue early action protects community comfort and safety, especially for women and children who may be at risk of covert recording. Disability advocates and users of assistive technology: They warn that blanket bans can exclude people who depend on smart glasses for navigation, reading and environmental awareness, and call for clear exceptions. Behavioural scientists and critics: They question whether banning specific devices addresses the root causes of harassment, and suggest privacy protections should focus on behaviour and data governance rather than particular technologies.

What to Watch

The Frankston City Council report expected on updating conditions of entry for community facilities.
Whether the Municipal Association of Victoria develops practical guidance for councils.
Federal government announcements on regulation of emerging technologies, which could pre-empt local bans.

Sources

Victorian councils 'acting early' and banning smart glasses from pools · Just In
Victorian councils 'acting early' and banning smart glasses from pools · Latest Science news

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

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SupportedHeadline: Victorian councils are moving to ban smart glasses from pools and recreation centres.Just In: “Victorian councils 'acting early' and banning smart glasses from pools. A growing number of councils across Victoria are moving to ban smart glasses from public facilities, including swimming pools, childcare centres, playgrounds and recreation centres.”
SupportedSixteen of Victoria's 79 local authorities have confirmed they are actively investigating or implementing measures to prohibit smart glasses in community settings.Just In: “Sixteen of the state's 79 local authorities have confirmed they are actively investigating or implementing measures to prohibit the covert recording devices from community facilities amid privacy concerns from residents.”
Partly supportedLast month the City of Yarra became one of the first councils in the state to implement such measures.Just In: “Last month, the City of Yarra became one of the first councils in Australia to implement such measures.”
SupportedMayor Sue Baker said: 'We want people using our facilities to feel safe and comfortable, and to know that their privacy is being taken seriously.'Just In: “"We want people using our facilities to feel safe and comfortable, and to know that their privacy is being taken seriously," Frankston council mayor Sue Baker said.”
Partly supportedStephen Fisher said: 'Signs and bans can influence the behaviour of people already inclined to comply with rules, but they are unlikely to deter men who are deliberately seeking to intimidate, harass or secretly record women.'Just In: “signs and bans could influence the behaviour of people "already inclined to comply with rules, but they are unlikely to deter men who are deliberately seeking to intimidate, harass or secretly record women"”
SupportedHeidi Biggin, who has been legally blind for 16 years, said smart glasses had changed how she navigates the world, with AI describing her environment and reading text aloud.Just In: “Heidi Biggin, who has been legally blind for 16 years, said purchasing a pair of smart glasses had changed the way she navigated the world. Through speakers built into the glasses, artificial intelligence describes her environment, and reads aloud text the built-in camera is pointing at.”
SupportedBiggin quote: 'I can go into a restaurant, hold up a menu and say: Hey Meta, look and read the menu items to me'.Just In: “"I can go into a restaurant, hold up a menu and say: 'Hey Meta, look and read the menu items to me'"”
SupportedBiggin quote: 'It is exhausting having to explain every time that I'm actually not filming you — I'm using my assistive technology.'Just In: “"It is exhausting having to explain every time that I'm actually not filming you — I'm using my assistive technology."”
SupportedDana McKay said councils should include carve-outs for legitimate needs, such as using individual change rooms on an exceptional basis.Just In: “"If you need to be wearing the glasses you could use individual change rooms or accessible change rooms," she suggested. "That should be on an exceptional basis rather than being excepted as a norm."”
SupportedThe Attorney-General's spokesperson said the government was continuing to examine ways to regulate emerging technologies.Just In: “A spokesperson for federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government was continuing to examine ways to appropriately regulate emerging technologies.”