Michael Webster: Privacy Commissioner on the need to review laws amid the rise of smart glasses
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Why is the Privacy Commissioner calling for new laws on smart glasses?
And these smart glasses, these pervy glasses, whatever you want to call them, the Privacy Commissioners weighed in uh with a call to look at the law and protections for punters. Michael Webster is of course the Privacy Commissioner. He's back with us, Michael. Morning to you. Good morning, mate. So Australia released some ideas yesterday and they want to get on board. Are we a bit behind the eight ball here?
Uh, the way that smart glasses are taking off, Mike, we do need to look
What privacy expectations should users of smart glasses follow?
uh at both uh rules around the users of them uh but also rules for the suppliers of them. We don't have a problem setting product safety rules for other consumer goods. Uh so we need to look at uh the technology that goes with these smart glasses and whether it can cause harm.
Right. So what uh so who's who's first cab off the rank? Meta got approve it? Or we just simply accept it and we protect it?
When does recording with smart glasses become ‘creepy’ or illegal?
Uh, we need to sh set some pretty clear expectations for people who are using them. Um, for example, I'd say that you need to respect the privacy of others. It's good practice to ask people if you are are going to uh use them that they have their consent. You should tell people you're recording. Uh because they look s just like ordinary sunglasses, Mike, and people might not know you're doing that. Um A good question I think to ask yourself as a user or buyer of these glasses is uh
Should smart glasses be banned or merely regulated in New Zealand?
With someone watching me uh do this filming or photography with these glasses uh be likely to think uh what I'm doing is creepy. If you're using them to record uh a family Christmas meal to send to a relative overseas, that's fine. Um if you're using them while staring at young people and their togs at the beach, uh that's not okay, Mike.
No it is not. Uh there is a to be fair, there is a flashing light, not that you can always see it but nevertheless. See the Greens in Australia yesterday they said they should be banned. Do you reckon we should go that far or not?
How does the current Privacy Act cover (or fail to cover) smart‑glass footage?
Uh, we're not in the business of banning technology. We're in the business of ensuring that the law um, protects and respects the rights of New Zealanders, particularly when it comes to their privacy. Uh so these questions about um the current coverage of the Privacy Act, which doesn't apply to uh individuals, it applies to organisations and business. businesses. Uh there's questions around things like Giving New Zealanders a right to erasure.
What lessons can New Zealand learn from Australia’s approach to smart‑glass regulation?
So if some footage of you ends up online, uh you have the right to ask for it to be taken down by a a social media company.
There's
border questions, Mike, that we've been having discussions about already. about uh the appropriate uh regulation of the online world and those environments.
Exactly. Uh we should dovetail on what Australia's doing just like we have with the social media and of course the digital tax. Oh, that's right. No we didn't. We just said we would, but we didn't do anything about it. Uh that is Michael Webster who is the Privacy Commissioner.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why is the Privacy Commissioner calling for new laws on smart glasses?
0:00–0:23
2
What privacy expectations should users of smart glasses follow?
0:23–0:48
3
When does recording with smart glasses become ‘creepy’ or illegal?
0:48–1:14
4
Should smart glasses be banned or merely regulated in New Zealand?
1:14–1:42
5
How does the current Privacy Act cover (or fail to cover) smart‑glass footage?
1:42–2:06
6
What lessons can New Zealand learn from Australia’s approach to smart‑glass regulation?
2:06–2:43
Speakers
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