In class a few days ago Ms. Fletcher was discussing a type of glasses, made by Snapchat, that is able to take photos and videos. I had heard of these before but I did not know much about them, so I decided to do some research. I found out that these glasses have a special name, Snapchat Spectacles. By pressing a button on the glasses, you can record a ten-second video that can be saved to the Snapchat application. Luckily, the glasses have a light that turns on when recording so that you can see when you are being recorded.
After seeing these strange, but frankly interesting glasses show up on the market, I was curious as to whether or not other types of glasses were made with recording capabilities. I came across a product called Google Glass. These glasses look even more out of the ordinary than the Snapchat Spectacles and do not allow others to see if any type of recording or picture taking is being done. Plus, they can record for an unlimited amount of time, whereas the Snapchat Spectacles can only take a short video.
Google Glass has been out much longer than the Snapchat Spectacles but did not get very far. Besides a $1,500 limited first edition released in 2013, Google did not make another pair. No one was comfortable knowing that they could be recorded without knowing it. With this knowledge, it is strange that Snapchat Spectacles are so popular since Google Glass was so unliked.
What do you think? Would you be comfortable knowing that someone could be recording you without your consent? Would you buy either of these glasses?
Hey Lizzie, first off, I completely dislike the idea of snapchat glasses (spectacles if we're being technical). I think the overwhelming popularity in comparison to the google glass is mostly due to the popularity of the platform with the younger market in addition to the fact that the google glass wasn't really marketed as a social media tool.
ReplyDeleteNow, correct me if I'm wrong, but is it not illegal to record someone without their consent? I think you can have visual but not audio or something like that but anyway, I'm pretty sure it's illegal. Along with it not being consentual you've also brought up that people could be recording you without you knowing it. This I'm not too concerned about with the snapchat version simply because they're extremely obvious, but I'm not too sure about the google option. It's confusing to me that people are just now worried about this with the release of these glasses but it seems so much easier and more discreet to record with a phone (I'm sure we all have those friends who zoom in super close on our faces when we aren't paying attention). It just seems so crazy that generally we could be recorded by people who don't know us at any given time. Sometimes I feel like technology is hurting us just as much as it is helping!
I have followed the Google Glass story for a long time as well the Snapchat Spectacles. They both raised controversy over the issue of individuals privacy being violated without the person knowing.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning before anyone company was to produce a wearable technology that access sooo many features without needing to access your phone was unheard of in 2013. The idea was revolutionary "Yes" for the market but, they did not get as much media attention plus the controversy made them die out and fade out. Even the FTC which is a Federal Trades Commission which work to uphold privacy rights through Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPS), which are guidelines representing concepts that concern fair information practice in an electronic marketplace we're going to go to court with Google to protect those rights. Google then releasing a statement saying that they would go back into development with them (as well as discontinuing the product to be sold to the approved explorer members). Its now 2016 and they have yet to release Google glass to the public.
It is illegal though to record someone without their knowledge and it is Federal law under the "Federal Wiretap Act" protecting the rights of the individual. Whether it be through audio, video, or through other means of channels. It is all considered illegal. That doesn't mean your local gov., school district, or institutions can't record individuals without a good reason to. That's the loophole sadly. Some workplaces, school districts, and institutions make you sign a contract where this "statement" is hidden in those long contracts.
Personally I hate my privacy being violated as I take it into high consideration especially with our school district at the moment putting up a new security system.