Australia's privacy watchdog opens probe into maker of Kmart smart-glasses app

Australia’s privacy watchdog said on Wednesday it had launched an investigation into the Chinese maker of the HeyCyan app, the software required for full functionality of smart glasses sold through Kmart, Big W Marketplace and Amazon, Reuters reported.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) said it had been monitoring the rollout of smart glasses since early 2026 and in August was asked by Attorney-General Michelle Rowland to examine their privacy implications. It then asked Meta, Kmart, Google and Shenzhen Qingcheng how the devices record information, who can access it and where it is stored; China-based Shenzhen Qingcheng did not respond.

The probe adds to scrutiny of camera-equipped smart glasses in Australia. In September the government said it was considering banning the devices from government workplaces over privacy and security concerns.

An ABC News investigation found speech, typing and images captured by the glasses are sent first to a server in Shenzhen, then on to another Chinese server or the US, without the owner’s knowledge — while HeyCyan’s privacy policy names only Singapore. Researcher Evan Vougdis of NSB Cyber also found a Bluetooth flaw on the AU$60 Temu glasses that leaked the owner’s email. University of Sydney professor Kimberlee Weatherall said the glasses breached Australian privacy law, and supplier BDI Technology, which sold to Dick Smith and Big W Marketplace, stopped selling them. Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind noted strong community backlash.

The investigation was reported by Guardian World as a probe into the China-based company behind Kmart’s “pervert glasses” app.