Google Glass: Expect widespread usage bans over privacy concerns
Google Glass is the company's upcoming product that puts a
computer on your face. Google is about to release the dorky-looking
device and most likely it will be snapped up by the techie crowd. It is
an innovative product that pushes live-blogging to the next level, and
that will unleash a storm of concern never before seen caused by a
mobile gadget
A bar in Seattle has already generated buzz in tech communities
with a preemptive strike against Google Glass. The proprietor doesn't
want patrons to have to worry that someone with Google Glasses might be
snapping photos. His patrons come in for privacy and he wants to keep it
that way.
That may have been nothing more than a publicity stunt but it
portends a greater problem for Google Glass. When the general public
becomes aware of Google Glass and exactly what it does, expect to see a
lot of reactions similar to that of the Seattle bar owner.
Rightly or wrongly there's already a concern about folks taking
photos and videos in certain public locations and situations. Pull out a
camera in places like public schools, playgrounds, and airports and you
might incur the wrath of authorities and parents, especially where
public safety of kids are concerned.
When public awareness of Google Glass reaches a critical mass and
it's understood that these devices can record photos, video, and audio
of the wearer's surroundings, an outbreak of bans is sure to result.
Don't be surprised if within weeks of the Google Glasses general release
we start seeing bans of it cropping up all over the place.
These bans are not going to be the result of Google Glass wearers
actually using them, they are going to be a result over the concern that
they can be used discretely. Parents are not going to like the exposure
that Google Glasses worn in schools, playgrounds, parks, and other
places where groups of kids hang out, might bring to their kids.
Authorities who already overreact to those with cameras during
stressful public situations are not going to like the fact that Google
Glass wearers can record those situations without discovery. This will
include the TSA in airports over concerns that wearers might be
recording things and "compromising the public's safety." You'll hear
that, I can almost guarantee it.
Don't be surprised when those on the sexual offenders list in most
states are banned from owning/wearing Google Glasses as part of their
punishment.
Businesses are going to quickly realize the exposure to both
liability and corporate security and one after another companies, large
and small, are going to ban Google Glass use within work areas. Because
Google Glass can be used without notice, that ban will extend to even
wearing the device on the premises. That will probably be welcomed by
non-Glass using workers who will feel uncomfortable that coworkers might
be recording them at work.
Then there are the concerns that will surely pop up over wiretapping
laws. In many states it's illegal to record anyone without their
permission. Imagine the flurry of legal activity that will result due to
the fear that Google Glasses wearers have recorded others without
notice. This could get messy very quickly.
Outside of the bar in Seattle none of these bans are official yet but
don't be surprised when they start happening. People will have a
knee-jerk reaction to the realization that Google Glass wearers can snap
photos or worse, video of kids, other adults, or anything, really. The
public outcry is going to be fast and furious, and authorities are going
to do what they can to nip this potential privacy breach in the bud.
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