Google Glass: Innovative or Creepy?

In 2012, Google began testing and demonstrating a new product that they call “Google Glass”.  Google Glass is a device that is a very small display screen and it is made to be worn either by itself, or hooked on to a pair of glasses or sunglasses.  The device will show the user the time, give directions, search the Internet, send messages and take photos and videos.  This is all done hands-free.  Just speak and Google Glass will do as you ask. 

  

Since its debut, there have been around 8,000 Glass wearers.  Last year, at SxSW (an annual conference featuring music, films and interactive technology), Google Glass was seen everywhere.  The same was true of this year’s conference.  People are curious about what it’s like, but most find it pretty creepy.  But, why is it that most people find it creepy?  After all, it’s just a small piece of glass that sits near the wearer’s eye.

When you see someone wearing Google Glass, whether they are sitting across from you at a table or simply walking past you on the street, you never know what they are doing on the device.  They could be reading texts, doing research, or they could be doing nothing at all with it at the time.  When someone walks by you wearing Google Glass, you would never know if that person has just taken a picture of you or even shot a video as you were approaching each other.  This is what makes it so creepy.  In fact, many people feel uncomfortable even coming close to someone wearing Google Glass.

Google Glass makes people so uncomfortable that some have been told to leave stores, clubs and even meetings at work if they didn’t remove the device.  Wearing Google Glass at an airport could cause problems as could driving while wearing the device.   In fact, Cecilia Abadie was the first person to get a traffic ticket while wearing Google Glass.  She was initially stopped for speeding in October 2013, but when the officer saw that she was wearing Google Glass, he added a ticket for the violation “monitor visible to driver”.  Ms. Abadie took the matter to Court in January 2014 and was found not guilty.  The officer had no proof that the monitor was turned on at the time of the incident.

When it comes to discussion groups about Google Glass, there are two views:  Google Glass wearers love the device, but those interacting with them don’t like it at all.  In fact, they barely tolerate it.  In social situations, non-wearers get a feeling of paranoia because they feel they are always being “watched”.

What’s odd about all this discomfort is that those who say they don’t like the feeling that they are being recorded by Google Glass wearers don’t think twice about being recorded other ways; like with a smart phone or security cameras.  Of course, the difference here is that with a smart phone or security cameras, you always know when you are being recorded.  With Google Glass, you would never know.  So, I guess the feeling of unease isn’t from the fact that they could be recorded, it’s from the not knowing if it’s happening or not.  

Google Glass wearers don’t see an issue with each other because they know how the device works.  However, if you have never worn Google Glass, and you are talking with someone who wears it, all you see is this small piece of glass and you can’t help but wonder if your conversation is being recorded.

Google realizes that there is a certain sense of discomfort, so it has published a list of “Dos” and “Don’ts” for wearers.  The “Do” list includes:

1.  Explore the world around you. 

2.  Take advantage of the Glass voice commands.

3.  Ask for permission to record people at gatherings.

4.  Use screen lock so no one else will be able to secretly use your Google Glass.

5.  Be an active and vocal member of the Glass Explorer Community.

On the “Don’t” side is:

1.  Don’t “glass-out”, which is a term meaning that you are using Google Glass for so long that you start to abandon doing things you generally love to do.

2.  Don’t wear Google Glass while participating in high-impact sports.

3.  Don’t wear Google Glass and NOT expect to be asked questions about it.

4.  Don’t be creepy or rude.  The term for someone who is nasty when asking questions, or taking secret photos and videos is “Glasshole”.  Always remember to take off your Google Glass whenever you are in a situation where you are generally asked to turn off your smart phone.

Yes, there are some privacy issues associated with Google Glass, but instead of automatically assuming the person wearing it is constantly recording, ask questions.  Hopefully, that person will be able to put your mind at rest and you will be more tolerant the next time you run into a Glass wearer.  This is really a terrific piece of technology, but it’s not currently available in stores.  Any advertised sale of Google Glass at this time is not legitimate.  In order to purchase Google Glass, you must first apply to Google to become a part of their Explorer community.  If accepted, you will be allowed to purchase the device for $1,500. 

Some things we can control when it comes to privacy, but others, we cannot.  One thing we can control is staying anonymous while surfing the Internet.  Privacy Partners offers a FREE trial subscription so you can see how you can stay private and safe while using their proxy servers.  Add encryption to the changed IP address and you will be extra secure.  Please try it now.