As smart glasses and other wearable devices make discreet recording increasingly easy, questions are emerging about when filming another person in public may cross legal boundaries in Singapore.
Noelle Teoh, Associate Lawyer at GJC Law, was featured by Channel NewsAsia (CNA) discussing the laws that may apply to the use of smart glasses and the recording or publication of footage involving other people.
Noelle explained that while the use of smart glasses is not in itself unlawful, the manner in which a device is used may engage existing laws relating to voyeurism, harassment and data protection.
She also addressed the publication of recordings online. While there is no general requirement to blur the face of every person filmed in public without their consent, additional considerations may arise where an individual is identified or targeted, particularly in sensitive circumstances or where children are involved.
Depending on the circumstances and intention, publishing identifying information may also raise issues under Singapore’s laws against doxxing and harassment.
For someone who believes they are being improperly recorded, Noelle advised against physically confronting the person or attempting to seize their device. Instead, relevant evidence should be preserved, including details of the incident and screenshots or links if the footage subsequently appears online.
The increasing use of smart glasses highlights how Singapore’s existing criminal and privacy laws continue to apply even as recording technology becomes smaller, less visible and more sophisticated.
Read the full CNA article: Smart glasses and filming in public: What does Singapore law say?
