Brisbane City Council has introduced tougher device rules at its public pools to prevent covert filming.
The new rules will prevent the non-consensual use of all camera-enabled devices, including “smart’ glasses, phones, and video cameras.
The ban will apply to video recordings as well as photographs.
The council said in a statement that the new safeguards would protect pool-goers at the city’s 21 pools from unwanted filming and recording.
New signage and conditions of entry will be progressively rolled out in coming weeks.
“The conditions of entry cover all camera-enabled and recording devices, from mobile phones and action cameras, to increasingly discreet wearable technology such as smart glasses,” the Council said.
“The changes mean there will be no grey area around covertly filming adults or children, particularly in changerooms where people expect privacy.”
The new rules will give pool staff “clear authority to act where recording devices are being used without prior approval”.
The Council said there were growing concerns about affordable smart glasses being used to secretly record people.
The Federal Government recently asked the Australian Privacy Commissioner to examine the privacy and safety risks posed by smart glasses.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said recent concerns about smart glasses being used to film people without their knowledge or consent were understandably making people think more about their privacy.
“Families should be able to enjoy their local pool without worrying that someone might be secretly filming them or their children,” he said.
“We’re making the rules crystal clear about when cameras and recording devices can be used at our pools.”
Digital Rights Watch Head of Policy Tom Sulston said it was great to hear that the BCC was taking the device threats seriously.
“It’s vital that councils across Australia ensure that public spaces like swimming pools are safe for families to enjoy without the threat of unwanted video surveillance,” he said.
“We all need to be able to go out in public without fear of being covertly recorded and having the images uploaded to the internet without our consent.”
The Principal Commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission, Luke Twyford, said all Queensland children should be and feel safe in public spaces and places.
“Child harm and abuse can be hard to recognise, and all organisations need to ensure the services and spaces they operate are safe for children and prevent exploitation,” he said.
