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Consumer Watchdog

Google Glass Raises Privacy And Safety Concerns

Google Glass raises privacy and safety concerns, said Consumer Watchdog in a report released Monday. “Google Glass threatens the privacy of both people whose images are captured unbeknownst to them and the user of the device,” said Consumer Watchdog Privacy Project Director John Simpson. “Google Glass can easily be used for improper and even criminal purposes.” While Google has said it won’t offer facial recognition software, Consumer Watchdog said it has uncovered apps that do offer the technology, which poses privacy concerns. Google has also lobbied against having Google Glass banned while driving, despite obstructed view for Glass wearers, according to Consumer Watchdog. “Glass’s visual display takes up about 15 percent of the visual field, obviously providing a distraction to a driver who wears them,” said Consumer Watchdog.

Read the report here.

John M. Simpson

John M. Simpson

John M. Simpson is an American consumer rights advocate and former journalist. Since 2005, he has worked for Consumer Watchdog, a nonpartisan nonprofit public interest group, as the lead researcher on Inside Google, the group's effort to educate the public about Google's dominance over the internet and the need for greater online privacy.

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