Kmart has sold out of Anko-branded camera glasses priced at $89 across Australia. Digital rights experts warn the low-cost wearable presents a 'privacy nightmare' as people could be filmed without consent.
The clear-lens, black-rimmed glasses feature built-in cameras capable of capturing images and video. Their affordability and availability through major retailers has driven rapid uptake, with stock depleted both in-store and online as of Monday.
Digital rights advocates have raised alarm about the widespread adoption of covert recording devices. The glasses' inconspicuous design means bystanders may be unaware they are being filmed, creating potential legal and ethical issues around consent and privacy.
The sellout highlights growing consumer interest in wearable technology at budget price points. However, it also underscores tension between accessibility and privacy safeguards. The Anko glasses position themselves as a low-cost alternative to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which retail at higher price points.
No immediate statement from Kmart regarding restocking or the privacy concerns has been issued. Retailers and regulators continue grappling with how to balance consumer demand for affordable smart devices with public privacy protections.
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