Brisbane City Council says families will have greater peace of mind with new privacy safeguards at the city’s 21 public pools to better protect residents from unwanted filming and recording.
The new conditions of entry cover all camera-enabled and recording devices, from mobile phones and action cameras, to increasingly discreet wearable technology such as smart glasses.
Proposed signage will advise that recording, photography, or the capture of still images, including on devices such as smart glasses, is not permitted without prior consent.
The Council says the changes mean there will be no grey area around covertly filming adults or children, particularly in changerooms where people expect privacy.
“Recent concerns about smart glasses being used to film people without their knowledge or consent are understandably making people think more about their privacy,” said Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner.
“Families should be able to enjoy their local pool without worrying that someone might be secretly filming them or their children.
“We’re making the rules crystal clear about when cameras and recording devices can be used at our pools.
“These rules will give pool staff clearer rules to act on inappropriate filming and help protect the privacy of swimmers.
“These are common-sense changes to help families feel safe and comfortable while enjoying Brisbane’s fantastic pools.”
The Lord Mayor said the strengthened rules will keep pace with changing technology and give pool staff clear authority to act where recording devices are being used without prior approval.
He said the rise of affordable wearable recording technology has reinforced the need for clear rules in sensitive places like public pools.
Head of Policy at Digital Rights Watch, Tom Sulston, welcomed the new rules for Brisbane’s public pools.
“It’s great to hear that Brisbane City Council is taking the threats that smart glasses and similar covert cameras pose to individuals’ privacy and dignity seriously,” he said.
“It’s vital that councils across Australia ensure that public spaces like swimming pools are safe for families to enjoy without the threat of unwanted video surveillance.
“We all need to be able to go out in public without fear of being covertly recorded and having the images uploaded to the internet without our consent.
“We look forward to seeing not just councils following Brisbane’s lead, but also state and federal governments.”
Queensland Family and Child Commission, Principal Commissioner, Luke Twyford said all Queensland children should be and feel safe in public spaces and places.
“Child harm and abuse can be hard to recognise, and all organisations need to ensure the services and spaces they operate are safe for children and prevent exploitation,” he said.
“I’m really glad to see Brisbane City Council considering its role in making Queensland a safe place and taking steps to reduce foreseeable risks. This is what the Child Safe Standards and the community expects.”
The new signage and conditions of entry at Brisbane’s 21 public pools will be progressively rolled out in the coming weeks.
