Smart glasses and trackers ‘outpacing the law’ as tech‑facilitated abuse rises

Domestic violence advocates say they are increasingly alarmed by how easily covert tracking devices and camera‑equipped smart glasses can be bought, warning the technology is being weaponised to monitor, stalk and control victims.

The devices — some no bigger than a coin and marketed as “nanny cams” or “pet trackers” — can be purchased for as little as $20, with no age checks, no identification requirements and no limits on how they’re used.

Advocates say the surge in cheap surveillance tech including smart glasses is fuelling a new wave of coercive control, with perpetrators able to secretly track partners, record private conversations and monitor movements in real time.

“Technology-facilitated abuse is an increasingly common tactic of domestic, family and sexual violence, with people using violence weaponising connected devices and digital platforms to monitor, stalk and control,” Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin said.

“Technologies such as trackers and smart glasses can create new opportunities for abuse if safety risks are not considered in their design.

“Listening to and designing with people with lived experience of domestic, family and sexual violence helps see around corners and anticipate how technologies may be weaponised.

“Designing for safety requires technology providers to identify and reduce risks before products and services can be misused.

“Governments, regulators and industry all have a role in ensuring technologies are designed to be safe and harder to weaponise – not solely responding after the harm has occurred.”

Human rights lawyer and anti-domestic violence advocate Kon Karapanagiotidis said the lack of safeguards around emerging consumer tech was already causing harm.

“This is appalling and shocking and shows the urgent need for reform, oversight and safeguards with new technology which is being exploited and weaponised by violent men to continue their cycle of violence, control and intimidation of women,” he said.

“From Meta glasses to trackers, the Australian public have had enough and we need government intervention and regulation now.”

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government is seeking public consultation on the technology.

“We are seeking views from Australians about new technologies, including wearable information processing devices, such as smart glasses, and the ways in which privacy can help protect people in this digital age,” Rowland said.

“We haven’t ruled anything out; this is very much a good-faith consultation.”