Topic > Privacy and Ethical Issues with Google Glass - 1733

IntroductionGoogle Glass is a wearable computer, it looks like a pair of glasses with a high-resolution optical head-mounted display (OHMD). As the name suggests, he was a developer at Google in one of their research and development projects called "Project Glass" [1]. The product was designed to be a ubiquitous computer that displays information, communicates via the Internet, and interacts with the user via natural language voice commands starting with "ok glass". Google Glass runs the Android operating system and comes with 12GB of usable storage, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 5-megapixel camera capable of shooting 720p video. The device allows users to take photos, record videos, connect to the Internet, upload images and videos, and interact with social networks and their mobile phone [2]. The consumer version of Google Glass will be available on the retail market in early 2014. Google Glass's ability to augment reality makes it likely that it will become widely used and become one of the most promising "wearable computing" devices. Augmented reality in Google Glass can be used in practical scenarios such as translating and presenting text to the user in real time, or it can be used as a navigation system by showing the user's location on the map. According to Mann, inventor of EyeTap which is Similar to Glass, these devices influence both privacy and secrecy by introducing bilateral surveillance and sousveillance [3]. There have been various concerns regarding invasion of privacy and ethical implications of using the device in public and recording people without their permission, possible invasion of privacy by Google, security breaches, and more. This essay studies the privacy threats presented by Google Glass, particularly unauthorized tracking. .... middle of paper...... “Surveillance city? Microsoft, NYPD team on crime-fighting system,” CNET, August 8, 2012. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57489636-83/surveillance-city-microsoft-nypd-team-on-crime- fight -system/.[5] Gross, R. “Re-identification of facial images.” Technical report (2005).[6] Efrati, A., Fowler, G., “Google Glass is Watching – Now What?”, Wall Street Journall, May 17, 2013. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324767004578489503146013208.html .[7] Oreskovic, Alexei, “Google Pays $7 Million to Settle WiFi Investigation in 38 States,” accessed May 25, 2013. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/12/us-google-wifi -fine-idUSBRE92B0VX20130312[8 ] McCarthy, T., “Is Google Glass an affront to privacy? Rest assured: Congress has your back,” The Guardian, accessed 21 May 2013. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/us-news-blog/2013/may/17/congress-caucus- google-glass-privacy .