Apple’s 2027 AirPods are expected to include cameras and Kmart recently sold out of their $89 Meta glasses dupe. With discreet wearable cameras exploding in popularity, an RMIT expert explains the risks associated with the technology.
Dr Dana McKay, Associate Dean, Interaction, Technology & Information:
“Wearable tech with cameras has been around for a while, but new lower price points have helped democratise and normalise worn cameras.
“The primary risk of these wearable cameras is that they might be used to record people without their consent or knowledge in settings or conversations assumed to be confidential, including changing rooms, bathrooms, and lawyers and doctors’ offices.
“Covertly captured recordings could be used in conjunction with AI generators to make realistic deepfakes that could threaten people’s jobs or erode public trust in governments.
“The laws to address secret recordings vary between states. In some it is illegal to record any conversation without the consent of all parties and in others, such as Victoria, you can record without consent for specific purposes (which usually includes not sharing the recordings).
“The use of this tech is likely to increase the amount of highly emotive, untrustworthy content online which will both enrage people and reduce already declining trust in online information.
“Some privacy experts say the horse has bolted, but with widespread public backlash we still have the opportunity to get a coherent, consistent Australian law to protect us all, if we act quickly.
Dr Dana McKay is Associate Dean, Interaction, Technology & Information. Her work is focused on Information science, human computer interaction, misinformation and technology facilitated abuse.
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