Apple Watches Banned from UK, Australian Cabinet Meetings Over Hacking Concerns

Apple Watches have been banned from U.K. and Australian cabinet meetings. Due to security fears, cabinet members in both countries can no longer wear the smartwatch to the meetings.

The Telegraph reported that the U.K., which allowed members of parliament and other dignitaries to wear Apple Watches under David Cameron, has banned them under Theresa May. Officials have come down hard on Apple Watches over concerns that they could be used by Russian spies as listening devices. Mobile phones had already been banned in cabinet meetings and now the ruling has been extended to smartwatches.

Australia, meanwhile, is continuing its long-term policy of not allowing communication devices in cabinet meetings. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is known to be fond of technology and has been caught checking his Apple Watch in the Chamber of the House of Representatives.

"In a world in which it is necessary for government to have conversations that truly have no electronics in the room, there are going to be more and more items that will have to be locked away in cabinets," Alistair Macgibbon, special advisor on cyber security to the Australian prime minister, told Fairfax Media.

Visitors to agencies such as Australian Security Intelligence Organization are being asked to store any electronic devices in lockers in the foyer out of the same fears.

Meanwhile, the U.S. on Friday accused Russia of hacking the computers of Democratic National Committee and political officials.