BRISBANE families heading to public pools this summer will face tougher rules around cameras, phones and smart glasses as Brisbane City Council moves to crack down on covert filming.
Conditions of entry at Brisbane’s 21 public pools will be updated in coming weeks to make it clear that filming and recording without approval is not permitted, particularly in sensitive areas such as changerooms.
The strengthened rules will cover all camera-enabled devices, including mobile phones, action cameras and increasingly discreet wearable technology such as smart glasses.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the move was designed to give families confidence as pool attendance surges during warmer weather.
“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and, as the weather warms up, thousands of families will head to their local pool,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Recent concerns about smart glasses being used to film people without their knowledge or consent are 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.
“We’re making the rules crystal clear about when cameras and recording devices can be used at our pools.
“These rules will give pool staff clearer rules to act on inappropriate filming and help protect the privacy of swimmers.
“These are common-sense changes to help families feel safe and comfortable while enjoying Brisbane’s fantastic pools.”
The changes come amid growing concern about smart glasses capable of taking photographs and recording video, with the devices becoming cheaper, more widely available and increasingly difficult to distinguish from ordinary eyewear.
The Federal Government has also asked the Australian Privacy Commissioner to examine the privacy and safety risks posed by smart glasses.
Digital Rights Watch Head of Policy Tom Sulston said public spaces needed stronger protections as wearable recording technology became more common.
“It’s great to hear that Brisbane City Council is taking the threats that smart glasses and similar covert cameras pose to individuals’ privacy and dignity seriously,” Mr Sulston said.
“It’s vital councils across ensure that public spaces like swimming pools are safe for families to enjoy without the threat of unwanted video surveillance.
“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.
“We look forward to seeing not just councils following Brisbane’s lead, but also State and Federal Governments.”
Queensland Family and Child Commission principal commissioner Luke Twyford said the action reflected community expectations that public facilities actively reduce risks to children.
“All Queensland children should be and feel safe in public spaces and places,” he said.
The new rules follow a record year for the Schrinner Council’s $2 Summer Dips initiative, which recorded more than 758,000 pool visits and saved families more than $2.8 million in entry fees.
