Is Facial Recognition The Only Issue With Google Glass? Privacy Aside?

Facial Recognition The Only Issue With Google Glass
Image Courtesy: Reuters

Google Glass never ceases to create controversial discussions and generate questions that are unanswered! The most talked thing about Google glass is the privacy issue.

Having a cute glass on the face that has a head mounted computer is really cool. Going hands free is what most people are after.

It’s like having a robot with you always. Whenever you command it to do something, it does that for. That gives you a “God” feeling, right?

Although everything seem to feel over the top about Google glass, there are many issues that raise questionable concerns even before the glass is released to the public (commercial release).

Now the recently talked about issue is the Facial Recognition feature. Google has intimated that it won’t be enabling the facial recognition feature on the Glass without strong privacy protection in place.

However it will not be surprising to see third parties develop software and apps for the glass – it seems that there are already Facebook and Twitter apps for the glass; and also adult entertainment apps.

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Developing a facial recognition app will not be a big deal!

But my point is this: Is facial recognition the only major issue with the glass? I’m more concerned about the privacy issues. It seems that the glass is already (pre)banned in a bar because of the privacy concerns. Apparently the bar owner doesn’t want his casual customer’s photos appearing all over the internet.

I’ve addressed some of the privacy and other issues of the glass in this post:

The good, bad and ugly about Google Glass

 

Just by uttering the words “OK Glass” or even by using some eye gestures anyone can photograph anyone in any possible condition/posture. Talk about blackmailing, cyber bullying, privacy infringement and what not.

While the glass sounds all promising and opens a portal for a new kind of technological advancement that can improve many aspects of our personal and business life, Google still has to address many of the unanswered questions – in particular, to those that are related to the privacy concerns.

“We want to make sure we are building experiences that make people really happy,” Page said while speaking about Glass at a recent event at San Francisco. Google says that Glass is a project developed to help people get rid of computers and enjoy life as such – while still staying connected with the web and the online social/business.

The idea surely sounds promising, but privacy is a top issue and its more important than any super advanced idea. Your thoughts?

5 thoughts on “Is Facial Recognition The Only Issue With Google Glass? Privacy Aside?”

  1. Google Glass is just an extension of what is already going on. There is no privacy. There are cameras on every street corner and every public building. Millions of people walk around with phone cameras, each with their wireless umbilical cord connected to Twitter and FaceBook and Instagram. Google Glass might take it one step further, but the step isn’t really all that big.

    Reply
    • Hey David ya I agree. But there is a difference between someone holding their phone on you to take a picture and just seeing you while you don’t know if they are taking a picture or not (even if they don’t take a picture, I don’t see how someone can stay in peace if they’re on the pub without their parents knowing it lol).

      Reply
      • There is not much difference since you can take pictures on a phone without the sound or flash and no one would know. It would look like you were texting someone.

        Reply
  2. Innovation is what to be considered and praisesd in this context . Hatsoff to the engineering team that developed a gadget that no-one could have ever imagined .Google Glass should be accepted by all and should not be criticized .

    Regards ,
    Pramod

    Reply
  3. Privacy issues should really be the first concern in any technology that is developed. Unfortunately, most developers set this one aside and focus more on other aspects like how it can make our lives easier and comfortable. But some technologies might just do otherwise and will make our lives more complicated.

    Reply

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