Gallagher seeks advice on banning covert-recording smart glasses in Commonwealth workplaces
Published · Updated
What happened
Katy Gallagher requested advice from the Australian Public Service Commission on whether Commonwealth workplaces should prohibit smart glasses that can record audio or video without obvious notice to others.
Why it matters
The request opens a live federal policy process on workplace rules for consumer AI wearables, privacy, information security and staff conduct across the public service. Any restriction or interim guidance could set a reference point for agencies, contractors and other Australian employers weighing similar controls.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has asked the Australian Public Service Commission for advice on whether smart glasses capable of covert recording should be prohibited in Commonwealth workplaces. The move turns wearable AI and surveillance devices from a general privacy issue into an active public-sector workplace-security and personnel-policy question. The immediate policy question is whether the Commonwealth moves quickly to a device-specific restriction or waits for broader guidance that covers wearables, data handling and enforceability across agencies.
Watch for
Australian Public Service Commission acknowledgement of Gallagher's request and scope of advice on wearable recording devices by 2026-09-20 Department of Finance interim guidance to Commonwealth agencies on smart glasses, personal devices or secure-area access by 2026-09-20 Katy Gallagher public statement specifying whether the review covers contractors, visitors and classified or secure zones by 2026-09-20 Australian Government agency notices updating staff conduct or workplace-security rules for wearable devices by 2026-09-20
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