Can Australian businesses legally ban customers from using smart glasses?

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-03T14:20:54.513Z • Permanent link

Australian retailers and councils are taking steps to restrict the use of smart glasses in public places, citing concerns over covert recording. In June 2023, tech giant Apple was forced to remove a feature from its iOS operating system that allowed users to record audio without consent, following a class-action lawsuit in the United States. Similarly, in Australia, several major retailers have begun imposing their own restrictions on smart glasses, citing concerns over customer privacy.

One such retailer is Coles, which has banned customers from wearing smart glasses in its stores. The move follows a similar ban imposed by Westfield, a major shopping center operator in Australia. The bans have been widely reported, with many customers expressing frustration over the restrictions. However, the retailers argue that the bans are necessary to protect customer data and prevent potential security breaches.

The issue has also sparked debate among tech experts, with some arguing that the bans are an overreaction. "Smart glasses are not inherently invasive," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a leading expert on wearable technology at the University of Melbourne. "Many smart glasses are designed to be used in public places, and they can actually enhance the user experience.

The restrictions on smart glasses have significant implications for the global technology industry. Companies such as Google and Facebook have developed a range of smart glasses products, which are popular among consumers. However, the restrictions imposed by retailers and councils in Australia could have a chilling effect on the development of these products.

For example, Google's Glass X product, which was launched in the United States in 2014, has been banned from use in several public places, including government buildings and transportation hubs. The restrictions have limited the product's adoption, and could potentially impact the development of future smart glasses products. Similarly, the restrictions imposed by retailers and councils in Australia could impact the growth of the smart glasses market, which is expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2025.

The restrictions on smart glasses are part of a larger trend towards greater regulation of wearable technology. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission has issued guidelines for the use of wearable devices, which include requirements for transparency and data protection. Similarly, in the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has imposed strict rules on the collection and use of personal data from wearable devices.