Arabic version: مجلس في سيدني يحظر النظارات الذكية في مراكز الترفيه

According to ABC News, Canterbury-Bankstown Council has unanimously voted to ban smart glasses from its five council-operated leisure and aquatic centres, becoming the first council in New South Wales to introduce such a measure.

The motion, passed on Tuesday, strengthens existing entry conditions that prohibit unauthorised photography and recording. AI-enabled smart glasses will be added to prohibition signage, and the ban will allow staff to eject people wearing the devices from centres in the local government area.

Lord Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the council had heard community concerns about people secretly filming in change rooms, swimming pools and around schools. He said covert filming and filming without consent were unacceptable, and that people who did not comply should have their equipment confiscated and be removed from the facility.

Councillor Harry Stavrinos supported the proposal but questioned how staff could distinguish smart glasses from standard glasses. Greens Councillor Conroy Blood asked that the policy consider people with vision impairment who use the devices as visual aids. Cr El-Hayek said those requiring the glasses for accessibility purposes would be allowed entry if they sought permission first, and staff would receive training on enforcement.

The NSW move follows broader bans recently announced by Brisbane City Council in Queensland and Yarra Council in Victoria covering leisure centres, childcare centres and playgrounds. Adelaide City Council is also considering the measure. Sydney-based lawyer Tony Taouk said people often misunderstood privacy laws, while University of Sydney Law School Emeritus Professor Barbara McDonald said recording rules differ significantly across Australia.