OAIC opens Privacy Act investigation into Shenzhen Qingcheng (HeyCyan smart-glasses app used by Kmart Anko and other low-cost glasses); Commissioner urges retailers to reconsider sales; Kmart pulls camera glasses online
On 7 October 2026 the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner announced a commissioner-initiated investigation into Shenzhen Qingcheng Future Technology Co. Ltd, maker of the HeyCyan companion app required for full use of Anko smart glasses sold by Kmart and other low-cost glasses sold via Big W Marketplace, Amazon and similar channels. After an Attorney-General request, the OAIC from 12 August 2026 sent preliminary inquiries to Meta, Kmart, Google and Shenzhen Qingcheng about recording, storage and access to personal information. Shenzhen Qingcheng (China) did not respond. Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind said that absence left no assurance the company protects Australians' personal information as required under APP 1, and that the investigation lets the OAIC use compulsory information-gathering powers. Kind has written to retailers selling HeyCyan-linked devices urging them to consider whether continued sale is appropriate. Opening an investigation is not a finding of breach. Parallel coverage: Kmart removed its $89 Anko camera glasses from online sale while still listing speaker-only glasses; ACS Information Age and SMH reported the retail pull alongside the OAIC action. Distinct from the earlier desk card on APS/Optus smart-glasses policy (au-smart-glasses-policy-20260918). Primary: OAIC media release 7 Oct; wire: ACS Information Age.
- Product
- HeyCyan smart-glasses companion app (Shenzhen Qingcheng); Anko and other low-cost camera glasses sold in Australia
- Versions
- n/a — privacy investigation / retail withdrawal; not a product CVE
- Exploited in Australia?
- unknown
- Patch to
- Retailers: review whether HeyCyan-dependent glasses should stay on sale. Buyers: stop using camera smart glasses that require HeyCyan until the OAIC outcome is clear; treat recorded media as potentially leaving the device. Employers: inventory recording-capable wearables (see also au-smart-glasses-policy-20260918).
Primary: OAIC — Opens investigation into maker of HeyCyan smart glasses phone app (7 Oct 2026) · Vendor: Office of the Australian Information Commissioner · ACS Information Age — Kmart pulls smart glasses from site amid privacy investigation (8 Oct 2026)