Privacy advocates call for smartglasses bans in Canada as covert-recording concerns mount
Quebec City banned smartglasses in public changing rooms; Toronto bars have followed. Reports show devices used to record women without consent, with extortion attempts following.
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Privacy concerns over smartglasses are prompting calls for bans across Canada, with Quebec City and two Toronto bars already implementing restrictions to prevent covert recording.
Smartglasses, typically Meta-powered Ray-Bans featuring built-in cameras that capture photos, video, and audio with hands-free operation and video displays, have drawn scrutiny after reports emerged of the devices being used against women. According to BBC reporting cited in the source material, attempts have been made to extort money from victims by threatening to release humiliating videos on social media platforms.
Quebec City's ban targets public changing rooms specifically. Two Toronto bars have taken similar steps. Some Australian cities have banned smartglasses in public pools and other recreational facilities, with others considering restrictions in offices and service centres.
No specific Canadian federal legislation has been proposed or enacted, and no federal government statement on the issue has been made. The timeline for potential broader bans remains unclear. Figures on smartglasses sales or usage in Canada are also unavailable, leaving the scale of the issue difficult to measure. As HOC reported in August, the Système Patronscan surveillance system previously raised concerns about consent-free tracking in public spaces.
What does Canadian privacy law currently say about recording in public spaces with smartglasses, and where are the gaps?
Beyond bans, what enforcement mechanisms exist or are being considered?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
By the numbers
Where has Canada implemented smartglasses bans so far?
Quebec City has banned smartglasses in public changing rooms, and two Toronto bars have implemented similar restrictions.
What crimes have been reported involving smartglasses?
According to BBC reporting, smartglasses have been used to record women without consent, with perpetrators subsequently attempting to extort money from victims by threatening to release the recordings on social media.
