Smart Glasses: a new covert surveillance technology

Some of you may be aware that Kmart are now selling Smart Glasses similar to the Meta Ray Ban glasses, for a much lower price.  Guardian link: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/04/kmart-camera-glasses-anko-meta-smartglasses-australia 

What are Smart Glasses?

They are eye-glasses that are able to record sound and video. Some can livestream directly to another place or app, and they have very little to indicate that they are not ordinary glasses. They are a type of spyware, and are almost always associated with covert surveillance.

Image from Guardian article.

Why is it a problem?

The use of smart glasses in a life drawing setting breaches Working Conditions 10: Never photograph the model without the model’s explicit consent, and 17: No mobile devices or digital cameras are allowed out in the drawing studio (i.e. must be turned off or at least fully silenced, and put away). Any digital drawing device with an inbuilt camera may be used at the model’s sole discretion and must have any cameras securely covered.

As a life model, you should never be photographed without appropriate payment, and written consent. Not only is it a breach of the LMS Working Conditions, but it may be illegal; as taking photographs without consent in a private space is a crime in Victoria. Not only this, but it’s creepy and a violation of the agreement in place between the model and the employer. 

What can you do?

There are apps that can be used to detect these sorts of glasses, for example Nearby Glasses app. This app scans bluetooth devices in the vicinity and looks for devices that might be smart glasses. However, these apps are not foolproof, and it is still best practice to advocate for yourself if you feel unsafe in a session. 

Many models will make an announcement at the start of a session that photography is strictly prohibited, and mobile phones are to be away for the duration of the pose time. If you have a concern, speaking to the facilitator about your concern is probably the first step, and you can work something out together about how to establish your safety. 

If you feel unsafe, you do not have to continue to work. All employers are required to create an environment that is safe for the employees, and not being covertly surveilled (or secretly recorded) is part of that safe environment. If the employer cannot create a space where you feel safe, then you are within your rights to refuse to model until the situation is resolved. 

Use of smart glasses in the life drawing room is unethical, and possibly illegal. We strongly encourage any facilitators who are concerned their attendees are using smart glasses to take appropriate action, up to and including refusing entry to people who they feel might be using these devices, and/or breaching the LMS Working Conditions.