We live in a world where the boundaries between what is private and what is public are blurring. New information technologies are largely responsible for this reality. Social media such as Twitter,

as well as the widespread use of smartphones with image and video cameras that can upload their content immediately, have caused us to become more comfortable with these technologies.

In fact, we are already used to being filmed; for example, closed$-$circuit television $($CCTV$)$ has become a normal part of our lives. $($Think of all the CCTV security cameras located on city streets and in your university buildings.$)$ Despite our increasing acceptance of electronic surveillance, however, a new technology known as Google Glass $($www$.$google.com$/$glass$/$start$)$ is causing privacy concerns.

Google Glass is an augmented$-$reality, wearable computer with a head$-$mounted display. The glasses display information in a hands$-$free, smartphone$-$type format, and they can interact with the Internet via natural language voice commands. The device receives data through Wi$-$Fi$,$ and it contains a GPS chip $($global positioning system$).($We discuss Wi$-$Fi and GPS in Chapter $8.)$ Users issue voice commands by first saying $$OK glass$$ followed by the command. Alternatively, they can use their finger to scroll through the options located along the side of the device. Google Glass can record video, take pictures, startGoogle$+$ hangout, perform search, translate, perform facial recognition, provide directions, answer queries, use Google Now, and send a message. Essentially, these glasses can instantly capture and store every movement of every individual around the person wearing them.

Consider these questions relating to the privacy implications of Google Glass. What if someone around you who is wearing Google Glass records you on video or takes your picture and you don$$t even know he or she is doing it$?$ Or$,$ suppose you are being recorded during a business meeting at lunch? Can a child properly consent to being recorded? Is an adult who happens to be visible in the camera$$s peripheral vision in a bar consenting? Would you like a stranger to be able to automatically identify you with the glasses$$ facial recognition feature? These are only a few of the questions regarding the privacy concerns associated with Google Glass.

Perhaps the most fundamental questions are: Who owns the data generated by Google Glass? Who receives these data? What happens to them after they are captured? Presumably the data flow to Google, where they are analyzed to provide morepersonalized search results as well as more targeted advertising. After all, advertising is a significant source of revenue for Google. Imagine that you are wearing Google Glasses and, whenever you look at something$$a shirt, for example$$a special offer for that shirt pops up on your glasses. For many people, that would be simply too intrusive.

Some analysts contend that we are too worried over the privacy implications of Google Glass. They note that our courts have outlined a definition of $$reasonable expectation of privacy.$$ If we

reach a point where our surveillance technology is intrusive to a degree that everyone fi nds exploitative, then concerned parties will initiate legal challenges to these practices. In response, the government will create new laws or reinterpret exiting ones to address excessive cases.

As of mid$-2013,$ Google Glass was in its initial stages of introduction. It remains to be seen if the functionality offered by this technology will outweigh the privacy concerns it raises. Some individuals and institutions, however, are already addressing these concerns. For example, a Seattle bar known as the $5$ Point Caf$$ has banned Google Glass. The Caf$$s managers are concerned about their customers$$ privacy. The bar$$s policy already prohibits customers from videotaping or photographing inside the bar without the permission of the managers as well as those being videoed or photographed. The managers contend that banning Google Glass is simply an extension of this policy.

Questions

$1.$ Apply the general framework for ethical decision making to Google Glass.

$2.$ Do you feel that the functionality offered by Google Glass outweighs the potential loss of privacy that the technology could create? Why or why not? Support your answer.

$3.$ Would you use Google Glasses? Why or why not? Support your answer.

$4.$ If you were at a party or at a bar, would you be comfortable speaking to someone wearing Google Glasses? Would you be comfortable just being in the room with someone wearing Google Glasses? Why or why not? Support your answer.