The City of Sydney and the Western Australian government have expanded restrictions on the use of smart glasses in public spaces, joining several other local councils and institutions across Australia in regulating their use. These smart glasses, which are wearable devices that allow users to record video and audio, take notes, and access the internet, are now banned in specific areas such as public pools, gyms, childcare centers, libraries, and government buildings in Sydney. In Western Australia, the ban applies to public schools, where students, teachers, parents, and contractors will not be allowed to wear or store smart glasses on school premises starting October 12. The City of Sydney, which covers about 240,000 people in its central business district and surrounding areas, is the latest local government to implement the ban, following similar actions by councils in Melbourne, Brisbane, and suburban Sydney. The city plans to update signage and guidelines to enforce the rule, building on existing policies that already prohibit recording devices in areas like change rooms in aquatic facilities. A spokesperson for the council explained that recording without consent is not allowed and that the updated conditions of entry aim to protect people from unwanted surveillance. Western Australia’s education minister, Sabine Winton, emphasized the importance of student and staff safety, calling the ban a common-sense measure to prevent potential privacy issues. She noted that smart glasses are becoming more widely available and can pose risks to personal privacy and mental wellbeing. Meanwhile, City of Sydney councilor Matthew Thompson highlighted that exemptions will be made for individuals using smart glasses as assistive devices, such as those with vision or hearing impairments. He raised concerns about harassment and unauthorized recording, citing similar incidents in the United States, and called for an import ban on smart glasses until stronger privacy laws are in place. Thompson also criticized the federal government for not addressing the growing availability of inexpensive smart glasses, which he said is creating challenges for local authorities. He argued that the responsibility for regulating these devices should not fall solely on local councils. Smart glasses, initially popularized by tech company Meta, have faced significant backlash for their potential to enable harassment and unauthorized recording. A recent study by the University of Sydney found that nearly 60% of 350 public videos recorded with smart glasses on Instagram could be classified as harassment. Similar restrictions have been introduced in the UK and the US, including in courtrooms in England and Wales, and in New York state, where they are also banned for use by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees.