Privacy 'impossible' with Google Glass warn campaigners

[Jazzy]

Google Glass and other augmented reality gadgets risk creating a world in which privacy is impossible, warn campaigners.



The campaign comes as politicians, lawyers and bloggers debate how the gadgets will change civil society.



Based in London, the Stop The Cyborgs campaign began at the end of February, he said, and the group did not expect much to happen before the launch of Google Glass in 2014.



Personal privacy

However, the launch coincided with a push on Twitter by Google to get people thinking about what they would do if they had a pair of the augmented reality spectacles. The camera-equipped headset suspends a small screen in front of an owner and pipes information to that display. The camera and other functions are voice controlled.

Google's push, coupled with the announcement by the 5 Point Cafe in Seattle to pre-emptively ban users of the gadget, has generated a lot of debate and given the campaign a boost, he said.



Posters produced by the campaign that warn people not to use Google Glass or other personal surveillance devices had been downloaded thousands of times, said Jack.



n addition, he said, coverage of the Glass project in mainstream media and on the web had swiftly turned from amazing new gadget that will improve the world to the most controversial device in history.



The limits that the Stop The Cyborg campaign wants placed on Google Glass and similar devices would involve a clear way to let people know when they are being recorded.



It's important for society and democracy that people can chat and live without fear that they might end up being published or prosecuted, it said in a manifesto reproduced on its website.



We are not anti-technology, said Jack. We just want people to realise that technology is a powerful cultural force which shapes our society and which we can also shape.



In a statement, Google said: We are putting a lot of thought into how we design Glass because new technology always raises important new issues for society.



Our Glass Explorer program will give all of us the chance to be active participants in shaping the future of this technology, including its features and social norms, it said.



Already some US states are looking to impose other limits on augmented reality devices. West Virginia is reportedly preparing a law that will make it illegal to use such devices while driving. Those breaking the law would face heavy fines.



In addition, bloggers are debating the influence of augmented reality spectacles on everyday life. Blogger Ed Champion wrote up 35 arguments about the gadget saying it could force all kinds of unwanted changes. He warned it could stifle the freedom people currently have to enjoy themselves because they know they are not being watched.

Source



Do you think Google Glass is an invasion of privacy?

 

[Evil Eye]

No one's forcing you to buy them... As for being recorded by someone else wearing them, that's no different from someone carrying a camera or phone.

After all, Google owns Android, any privacy breaches possible with these glasses could also happen with phones.



Privacy in technology is all about ones ability to take complete control of said technology. If the EULA forbids that, you'd have a problem (unless you live in a place where EULAs don't hold any sway). In the end it's all about how Google, in this case, deals with their users. And if you don't trust them, don't use this.

 

[seasidemike]

what exactly are you suppose to do with them anyway??

 

[Sinon]

what exactly are you suppose to do with them anyway??

I believe they act as AR (Augmented Reality) terminals. Using voice commands and such to display information within the glasses. So say you want to find out the football scores, rather than finding a newspaper or an internet cafe, you'd just say Google Glass, show me the scores for the football. and it'd pop them up for you.



That's what I take it to be, at least.

 

[Jazzy]

Features:



Photography and video

Google Glass has the ability to take photos and record 720p HD video. While video is recording, a recording light is displayed above the eye, which is unnoticeable to the wearer.



Google applications

Glass will utilize many already-existing Google applications, such as Google Now and Google Maps. The device will also be able to display the weather.



Voice Commands