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Privacy concerns and the rise of the 'Glassholes'
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AirTalk Tile 2024
May 21, 2013
Listen 17:52
Privacy concerns and the rise of the 'Glassholes'
Although many tech observers think Google Glass will revolutionize the consumer tech industry, privacy advocates and lawmakers are worried about its abilities to record people and map faces.
An attendee tries Google Glass during the Google I/O developer conference on May 17, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Eight members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus sent a letter to Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page seeking answers to privacy questions and concerns surrounding Google's photo and video-equipped glasses called "Google Glass".  The panel wants to know if the high tech eyeware could infringe on the privacy of Americans. Google has been asked to respond to a series of questions by June 14.
An attendee tries Google Glass during the Google I/O developer conference on May 17, 2013 in San Francisco, California.
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Although many tech observers think Google Glass will revolutionize the consumer tech industry, privacy advocates and lawmakers are worried about its abilities to record people and map faces.

It’s the hottest tech toy since Apple released the iPhone back in 2007. But while many tech observers think Google Glass – the tech giant’s newest wearable computer in the form of a pair of eyeglasses – would revolutionize the consumer tech industry, privacy advocates and lawmakers are worried about its abilities to record people and map faces.

Last week, eight members of Congress sent an open letter to Google CEO Larry Page detailing their concerns and set June 14 as the deadline for the company to add privacy protections into Glass. Caesars Palace in Las Vegas has banned the use of Glass on its premises, as well as some movie theaters and a watering hole in Seattle.

Google Glass won’t be widely available until later this year at the earliest, but a derogatory term has already been coined to describe those with access to the device who abuse its usage: Glassholes.

How does Google Glass work? What are some of the privacy concerns?  Are these concerns overblown?

Guests:
Will Oremus, staff writer at Slate.com

Kurt Opsahl, Senior Staff Attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, Morning Edition, AirTalk Friday, The L.A. Report A.M. Edition
Senior Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Associate Producer, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek