Critical
investigation
To what extent and why is wearable technology, specifically Google Glass, a threat to society?
To what extent and why is wearable technology, specifically Google Glass, a threat to society?
The development and innovation of new technology such as
Google Glass has been regarded to as an issue that affect society. Technology
has changed so much and has led to various forms of people being able to access
information, for example smart watches, tablets and smart glasses are all
example of how this has be done. Therefore traditional methods for audience to
access media was through computers smart phones and tablets however with
technology changing and becoming more developed, new ways have been developed
an example of this is Google glass. Based on needs to access the internet more
frequently or easily of Google glass has been a product designed as an answer
for the masses, it is fair to say that Google glass was a product influenced by
the masses. It can also be argued the Google glass may even revolutionise the
way that both businesses and consumers operate. However Google glass is a
product that uses the internet, as of July 1st 2014 there are
“2,925,249,355”[1]
users which is 40% of the world’s population “7,243,784,121”[2].
This essay will be looking at mile stones that are considered to have revolutionised our daily lives, for instance the alphabet and the internet are two examples that were first feared when introduced. This is an example of moral panic (Cohen) the reason for this is because moral panic means “an instance of public anxiety or alarm in response to a problem regarded as threatening the moral standards of society”[3]. This therefore is a prime example of how Google glass is an example of a type or moral panic, with audience not understanding the product. Google glass was first released to developers in order to create apps for Google glass, this had gone on for over a year before it was made available to the public in late 2014. Application developers and celebrities and technology review companies both had early access to Google Glass. This was done for several reasons one being in order to create more app as mentioned before, another reason was as a form of celebrity endorsement worn by celebrities as in to promote and get free publicity for Google glass. Finally it was given to companies in order to test and review which would be seen by the masses, however this had shown to have created many problems with many companies raising concerns to privacy however it is not to say the panics are always misguided. Centralised social networking is another example that creates privacy problems; cyber predation does occur, more commonly now due to the increased accessibility of technology but more importantly online cyber predation “is where a person can use the internet in order to take advantage of a victim in any of the following ways; sexually, emotionally psychologically or financially”[4]. Through the likes of google glass it can be used for cyber predation, which is a massive privacy concern for both adults and children as both can be exploited.
Many other technologies have faced similar changes in
expectations over time. Warren and Brandeis' famous definition of privacy
as "the right to be let alone"[5] came
about in part because new cameras in the late 19th century made it possible to
take photographs in just several seconds, invading "the sacred precincts
of private and domestic life."[6]
Warren and brandies defines privacy as "It could be done only on
principles of private justice, moral fitness, and public convenience, which,
when applied to a new subject, make common law without a precedent; much more
when received and approved by usage."[7]
However due to technological achievements and changes in technology has led to changes
and alterations of the law in regards to privacy which head meant that
political, social and economic changes has thus led to recognition of new
rights or has been added on to current ones.
In May 1988 the first Kodak camera was released at $25, which
was the simplest camera of its time the slogan “you press the button we do the
rest”[8]
was what explained the simplicity of the products. However the demand for the
product rose drastically then it was led from excitement to fear, this
had to signs stating “camera fiend”[9]
which means camera terror/villain had started to appear on beach resorts. This
is an example of how privacy has become a concern, another example is for
example cameras were banned from the Washington monument. Other resorts had
felt such a concern in the trend that they posted a notice “PEOPLE ARE
FORBIDDEN TO USE THEIR KODAKS ON THE BEACH.” The same ideas and suggestions have risen with Google Glass,
as it has a small camera which cannot be seen nor is it as evident compared to
a convention camera when taking a picture it has led to massive concerns.
Although Google Glass can be criticised it also be seen a
beneficial tool that can help to speed up and increase national security. David
Bulman, chief information officer of virgin airlines, said: 'We are going to
start with Google Glass, but we are trialling a number of different glasses.”[10]
David Bulman also said they “We're trialling apps that allow staff to take a
picture of your passport, which then works with our systems to find your
booking and other information. We have done trials with printers that sit on
people's belts, so that we can print off boarding passes”[11]
this is an example of how virgin Atlantic had adapted applications in order to
be able to take advantage of the technology and be able to provide a faster
service for customers and also presents the company as innovative. KFC is
another example of a company that had adapted an application that shows
tutorials. “KFC, one of the world's largest fast-food chains, recently
ran a trial in which it trained employees using a software program on
Google Glass” [12]this
is another example of how Google glass has been used for fast food stores and
help employees. employees would see a series of on-screen prompts giving them
step-by-step directions for tasks like making a sandwich, shutting down a
fryer, or closing a store for the night. This is another example of how Google
glass has been used as a form of training in the fast food environment, it ultimately
cheaper as videos can be created and played back while making the food. by
doing so it means that head offices are able to send up to date information but
it also means that a step to step guide on how to make the food product which
leads to consistency
Google glass been considered to be a “cooperate tool”[13]
it has been suggested that since the release of Google glass that was aimed at
consumers the focus will shift “cooperate market within the next year or so”[14]
this can be suggested due to the high price tag but also the ability and
potential the Google Glass can create ad be used as a tool for businesses. it
is suggests that from a cooperate point of view google “Glass makes it
possible to create an “augmented reality”, displaying diagrams, instructions,
maps of an area or blueprints of a building or piece of equipment.”[15] This is a example of how Google glass can be
considered as a tool to help people and businesses rather than as a piece of
technology for commercial product. Another example of how Google glass “can act
as “X-ray” specs by showing plumbing, electric cables and heating ducts.
Internet access is via Bluetooth communication with the user’s smartphone.” [16]
In 2013 during the early release of Google glass for
developer the first “crime”[17]
had taken place, a women was pulled over by police when the women was fined for
using the glass. The passenger was initially pulled over due to speeding but
however after being pull over the women was fined for using the Google glass.
the women from San Diego was fined for the glass once the police had
seen it, the “law prohibits drivers from operating vehicles if ‘a television
receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other
similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal
that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and …
visible to the driver’.”[18] However
developers are now creating applications in order to enhance the driving
experience by improving road safety. The app “DriveSafe4Glass”[19]
was the first apps that was trialled on the glass and can be considered the stepping
stone in to road safety. This is due to the app being able to track eye
movement and ensure that the driver does not fall asleep.
Google glass has been considered a threat to “national
security mission”[20].
A video was posted by Bob Gourley who talks about the concerns and a walk
through of the controls and features, Bob Gourley explained that to take a
video or a picture it is “easy”[21]
and can be done without the knowledge of others. Bob Gourley felt that Google
glass for “national security missions or law enforcement”[22]
information “presented is secured or between your smartphone and google glass
is secure”[23] that
he feels that Google glass had created, a “covert communications channel”[24]
which could become dangerous as it means that it can allow for encrypted
messages to be sent to an individual which would be a national security
concern. Another issues is in regards to “identification of face”[25]
as this can lead to identity theft as well as being able to find information
about people through google for example through social networking where information
can be found of a person.
“To provoke moral panic, a technology must satisfy three
rules”[26]
the article looks at how 3 rules and must be affected in order to create moral
panic which are “Space, Time and Social relations”[27]
However although these are three factors that contribute in
order to create a techno panic a minimum of two are applied before techno panic
can occur. for example Google glass applies to both space and time as well as
social relations the reason for this is because it allows data as well as
information to be sent over a distance as well in a short time but social
relations is one of the biggest issues with people using emotions more and more
people can read emotions effectively as they once could. Applications have been
developed in order to understand emotions of an individual this can help those
who are disabled but also help people on a general basis however it’s arguable
that the app was created due to people not being able to read emotions.
Bibliography
Chabris, Christopher F., and Daniel J.
Simons. "Is Google Glass dangerous?.” New York Times (2013).
Gourley B.
(2014 January 07) Google Glass and National Security Missions from
CTOvision.com
Hutchinson,
J. (2014, November 08) could check-in times be cut thanks to Google Glass?
Virgin Atlantic extends trial of technology to scan passports and provide
flight information from Daily Mail
Uswak I.
(2014 January 08) DriveSafe4Glass Google Glass App
Work
cited
News papers
Louise Olson, M. (2013 October
30) Woman gets pulled over and ticketed
for wearing Google Glasses while driving from daily mail
Hutchinson, J. (2014, November 08) could check-in times be cut thanks to Google
Glass? Virgin Atlantic extends trial of technology to scan passports and
provide flight information from Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2825131/Check-times-cut-Virgin-Atlantic-extend-trial-Google-Glass-scan-passports-provide-flight-information.html
Internet
Moving images text
Gourley B. (2014 January 07) Google Glass and National Security Missions from
CTOvision.com https://ctovision.com/2014/01/google-glass-national-security-missions/
[10]Hutchinson,
J. (2014, November 08) could check-in
times be cut thanks to Google Glass? Virgin Atlantic extends trial of
technology to scan passports and provide flight information from Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2825131/Check-times-cut-Virgin-Atlantic-extend-trial-Google-Glass-scan-passports-provide-flight-information.html
[11] Ibid
[12]
Taube, A. (2014 October 24) Google Glass
Could Save KFC And Other Fast-Food Companies Millions Of Dollars from
business insider http://www.businessinsider.com/google-glass-could-save-kfc-millions-2014-10?IR=T
[17]Louise
Olson, M. (2013 October 30) Woman gets
pulled over and ticketed for wearing Google Glasses while driving from
daily mail
[18]Ibid
[19]Uswak
I. (2014 January 08) DriveSafe4Glass
Google Glass App http://glass-apps.org/drivesafe4glass-Google-glass-app
[20]Gourley
B. (2014 January 07) Google Glass and
National Security Missions from CTOvision.com https://ctovision.com/2014/01/google-glass-national-security-missions/
[21] Ibid
[22] Ibid
[23] Ibid
[24] Ibid
[25] Ibid
[26]
Thomson C. (2012 February 11) Why We Freak Out About Some
Technologies but Not Others from wired.com http://www.wired.com/2012/11/st_opinion/
[27] Ibid
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