Kmart’s $89 Camera Glasses Sell Out Amid Privacy Warnings
The rapid popularity of Anko's budget smart glasses is sparking fears of a 'privacy nightmare' as inconspicuous recording becomes accessible to the masses.
Kmart Australia’s low-cost camera glasses have completely sold out across both physical stores and online platforms. The surge in demand for the Anko-branded wearable marks a shift in the accessibility of smart eyewear, moving the technology from a luxury niche into the general consumer market.
Retailing for just $89, the Anko glasses offer a stark price contrast to Meta Ray-Ban alternatives, which range from $367 to $709. Despite the budget price point, the hardware is capable: the glasses support 1080p video and photos up to 8 megapixels. They also feature Bluetooth connectivity for phone calls, smart touch controls, and image recognition and chat capabilities via the HeyCyan app.
The Democratization of Wearable Tech
For years, the trend of wearable cameras was driven by high-end tech enthusiasts and marketed by giants like Meta, who partnered with Ray-Ban and utilized celebrity endorsements from figures such as Kylie Jenner to mainstream the product. This strategy worked, with Meta selling over 7 million smart glasses worldwide as of 2025. However, the entry of ultra-low-cost versions like those from Kmart removes the financial barrier to entry, allowing a much wider demographic to record their surroundings inconspicuously.
A 'Privacy Nightmare'
Privacy advocates and academics warn that this accessibility creates a dangerous environment for non-consensual filming in public spaces. Because the cameras are embedded in standard-looking frames, bystanders have no way of knowing when they are being recorded. Tom Sulston, head of policy at Digital Rights Watch, noted that obtaining consent is effectively impossible because the user is "recording everyone around you all the time."
Beyond the immediate act of filming, there are significant concerns regarding the lifecycle of the captured data. Dr. Victoria McArthur of Monash University questioned the transparency of the data pipeline, asking how long images and videos are stored, who can access them, and whether the footage is being used to train AI systems. The potential for harassment and the creation of non-consensual content for social media clout has turned the device into a focal point for ethical debate.
What to Watch
As budget alternatives continue to flood the market, the industry is watching for potential regulatory responses regarding public recording. While the Anko glasses have currently sold out, the appetite for cheap wearable tech suggests a permanent shift in consumer behavior. Whether this leads to stricter privacy laws or a new social etiquette regarding smart eyewear remains to be seen.