By: Maria T. Perez
As the world awaits the newest technological advance by Google, many have concerns on whether or not it infringes on personal privacy. According to an article by USA Today, Google will soon release a headset device, Google Glass, which will allow its users to search the internet, take pictures, video record, and send messages among the many other things it will be capable of. Google Glass, however is not getting the welcoming as planned. Rather, the new device is said to spark up some undesired social reactions including the idea that there may be a threat to our privacy. Through this device, Google will continue to monitor the behavior of its users as a means of surveillance.
Google glass will contribute to what Gilliom and Monahan call a surveillance society. In their book, Super Vision: An Introduction to the Surveillance Society, a surveillance society provides “systematic monitoring, gathering, and analysis of information in order to make decisions, minimize risk, sort populations, and exercise power” (2). Here, Google Glass will make it that much easier to monitor people through the camera feature. The headset device will not only capture the behavior of the user, but it will also monitor those that are being recorded. To some this can be an intrusion of our personal lives which shapes who we are and what we value. But, what makes Google Glass any different from the capabilities of a smart phone? Smart phones have cameras too. The difference may be that since Google Glass is a headset, video recording may be done inconspicuously, rather than someone actually recording with a camera that can clearly be seen.
Gilliom and Monahan explain how surveillance is a form of power and governance woven into the fabric of our lives” (17). Google glass is an example of a technological device that is a part of such surveillance. However, not all surveillance is bad. As Gilliom and Monahan state, surveillance could be used by rescue crews to help those in need as well as aid in catching dangerous criminals (4). Here, Google Glass’ camera and GPS features can help in these types of situations.
It seems that in order to enjoy such technological advances, one must trade privacy and personal information in exchange for convenience. For example Google Glass will make life easier since it is a hands free device. According to Gilliom and Monahan, such devices are polyvalent since they have multiple uses “open to multiple forms of observation and control and position us as agents who can monitor others” (26). In other words, devices like these allow companies like Google to further monitor its users.
Ultimately, technology will trump any concerns of privacy the article has raised, being filmed in public, for example. Just as society has engrained the use of social media in our everyday lives, with time this too will become the norm. It will be interesting to see how this device will serve as both positive and negative surveillance in the years to come.
I think that this is a very interesting blog post, besides the fact that I was not aware of the new technology coming up from Google, I think that you made very good points and successfully analyzed the readings from class, and made the right connections. I feel as though we are getting further and further away from a society which doesn't need technology to thrive. The way I see it, the more we want technology, the more we give up our privacy. As an example, just the other day, looking for jobs, I was asked to e-mail my resume, including links to my Facebook and Linkedin profiles. This goes to show that people will expect to lose privacy if they also expect to get a job.
ReplyDeleteTechnological advancements like Google glass initially may be welcomed into our society, but usually we fail to recognize the amount of privacy we are giving up as we purchase these gadgets. One of the features in Glass, is to record videos of bystanders without them realizing that they're being filmed. Google says that this will enable the user to record more seamless, less staged videos of our everyday lives. As unintentional monitoring devices (like Glass) are distributed among citizens, we are further creating a society of 'drones' who pay to be surveilled, and to surveil.
ReplyDeleteJackie Ji Park
Great job, Maria, for discussing the possible costs of Google Glass technology. I have seen a few articles and promotional videos on the internet and at first glance, the technology claims to make recording video, taking pictures, and sharing media more convenient and hands-free. It seems like a well-advertised product that will pave the way for new and similar technology from other companies. Not many individuals will realize how this technology will impact our privacy rights, revealing a lot more about ourselves than we realize. Again, we face the question: is Google justified in profiting from information we voluntarily disclose by using their technology?
ReplyDelete-Salena Tiet
This is interesting and you did a very good job relating it to class material. I think this is a violation of privacy, however it is not far from the amount that we are already being surveilled today. The fact that this can record whenever it wants seems unnecessary though, and I wonder if that is something they are going to change before releasing the product
ReplyDeleteJessica Crume
I enjoyed hearing about the newest technology from Google. I believe that in the world we live in today, most all technological devices affect our privacy. I strongly agree with the comparison you made between the Google glasses and smart phones because both offer similar features that invade privacy but just in a different form. For many who have already accepted that with technology comes a trade in personal privacy this product, like the popularity of the iphone, will become a big hit.
ReplyDeleteGreat article, Maria. Like you stated in your post, privacy is something we're very willing to give up if we want to stay up to date with advancements in technology. My only concern is the inconspicuous use of video recording and the infringement on other people's privacy without them realzing they're being recorded. It's one thing for you to be fine with using google glass, but an innocent bystander may have something different to say about the topic.
ReplyDeleteLaci Patiga
Great post. I believe that in many cases, technology has helped make our lives so much either, however in some cases, there have been issues with maintaining peoples' privacy. In the cases of the Google Glasses, the technology could be very helpful for the person who is using them, however there is a question of privacy for everyone else around.
ReplyDeleteGreat read. While I do agree with your ending statement that technology may one day become pervasive enough so that privacy is not an issue, I still feel that there are numerous security concerns surrounding the Glass. As others have mentioned previously, users can not only covertly record anything they see but also illegally modify the technology to use facial recognition software. Taken to the extreme, the Glass might even make use of X-Ray vision capabilities, allowing consumers to potentially locate Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other intimate details. I feel there has to be a point where we have to put our foot down.
ReplyDelete-Aaron Lee