Australia Probes App Used in Cheap Smart Glasses over Privacy Fears
- On Wednesday, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner launched a formal investigation into Shenzhen Qingcheng Future Technology, maker of the HeyCyan smart glasses application sold through Amazon and Kmart.
- Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind initiated the probe after Shenzhen Qingcheng ignored preliminary inquiries, citing 'a range of concerns' about the company's data handling practices and potential facial recognition use.
- An ABC investigation found over a dozen security flaws, including unauthorized Bluetooth access risks; Commissioner Kind urged retailers to reconsider stocking the devices, nicknamed 'pervert glasses' by critics.
- The formal investigation empowers the OAIC to compel information from the company, which could face $50 million per contravention penalties under the Australian Privacy Act if found to have interfered with Australians' privacy.
- While Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has not implemented an import ban, the government continues monitoring the devices as Norway and France pursue their own restrictions on smart glasses use in public spaces.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Sapo
Australia has opened an investigation into the collection and storage of personal data from low-cost smart glasses, today reported to the country's data protection authority.
Australia's privacy watchdog probes maker of smart glasses ...
Sydney Morning Herald
Technology behind Kmart smart glasses under investigation
A technology used within Kmart's cheap smart glasses is being investigated by Australia's privacy commissioner amid concerns into how data is stored and accessed.
Australia probes app used in cheap smart glasses over privacy fears
China-based Shenzhen Qingcheng is the maker of the HeyCyan smart glasses application, used in the Anko smart glasses sold for as little as AU$89 (US$62) at shops like K-mart across Australia. Australia's Information Commissioner (OAIC) said it had sent preliminary inquiries to several companies involved in making the glasses last month -- including Meta, Kmart, Google and Shenzhen Qingcheng -- about how they recorded data and where it was stored…
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