[Infowarrior] - Google Glass Prohibited at Google's Shareholder Meeting

[Richard Forno]

Banned! Google Glass Prohibited at Shareholder Meeting

GOOGLE INC, BUSINESS NEWS

CNBC.com | Friday, 7 Jun 2013 | 5:39 AM ET

http://www.cnbc.com/100798068

Tight security restrictions at Thursday's Google shareholder meeting led even the company's much-hyped Google Glass technology to be banned, infuriating a consumer watchdog group who accused the tech giant of hypocrisy.

Google Glass is a wearable computer with a head-mounted display that's in prototype and lets users search the web, use apps and respond to spoken instructions. However, its most controversial feature is its ability to record video, an issue that has raised privacy concerns.
"Cameras, recording devices, and other electronic devices, such as smart phones, will not be permitted at the meeting. Photography is prohibited at the meeting," instructions for Thursday's 2013 annual meeting of Google shareholders in California said. 
(Read More: The 'Next Big Things' in Wearable Tech)

Nonprofit organization Consumer Watchdog called Google executives hypocrites for the restrictions.
"Google has unleashed one of the most privacy invasive devices ever," John M. Simpson, privacy project director at Consumer Watchdog, said in a press release.

"Google Glass aids and abets people who want to invade our privacy by videoing or photographing us surreptitiously, but when it comes to their own privacy Google executives jealously guard it."

A consumer version of Google Glass isn't expected to hit the shelves until early next year but it has already managed to attract unwanted attention. A porn app called "T--- & Glass," which allows users to view and share pornographic content from a point-of-view angle has been developed. But the app looks to be in jeopardy with Google changing its rules on "explicit" content.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement issued a directive on Monday ordering  casinos to bar gamblers from using the device.

Google was unavailable for comment when contacted by CNBC. 

© 2013 CNBC.com

URL: http://www.cnbc.com/100798068


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