Google Glass fuels privacy fears

google glassNearly half of all UK consumers have said privacy concerns would stop them buying the yet-to-be-launched Google Glass video spectacles, with a fifth saying they should be banned.
These are just two of the findings of a new study carried out by Golsmiths at the University of London, which quizzed 4,000 consumers.
But not everyone is fearful. Despite the fact that 61% agreed that such devices should be subject to regulation, more than a third of those surveyed (39%) said they intend to use wearable technology when it becomes more widely available.
Google has already tried to allay privacy fears by saying Google Glass would not have facial recognition software programmed into it, meaning individuals will not be tracked and covertly filmed without their consent. It also claimed that “strong privacy protections” would be put in place.
And Chris Brauer, co-director of the Centre for Creative & Social Technologies at Goldsmiths, claimed the data capabilities offered by Google Glass could be a marketer’s dream.
He said: “The rich data created by wearable tech will drive the rise of the ‘human cloud’ of personal data. With this comes countless opportunities to tap into this data; whether it’s connecting with third parties to provide more tailored and personalised services or working closer with healthcare institutions to get a better understanding of their patients.”
Almost one in five Britons said they would be happy for the Government to access their location through such devices, and one in three would consent to having food and exercise habits monitored by the NHS.
But the specs have not gone down so well at privacy group Big Brother Watch. Director Nick Pickles said of Google Glass: “Everything you see, Google sees. You don’t own the data, you don’t control the data and you definitely don’t know what happens to the data.”

 

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