Privacy commissioners raise concerns about Google Glass
Article content
Canada's privacy commissioner and 36 of her counterparts in this country and around the world want to know how Google plans to protect people's privacy when Google Glass hits the streets.
"We would be very interested in hearing about the privacy implications of this new product and the steps you are taking to ensure that, as you move forward with Google Glass, individuals' privacy rights are respected around the world," reads an open letter issued Tuesday to CEO Larry Page, signed by Jennifer Stoddart and provincial privacy commissioners, as well as those from Australia, Mexico, Switzerland, Israel and New Zealand.
Almost from the moment Google announced its wearable computer goggles, privacy concerns were raised about the ability to record people surreptitiously and, in the blink of an eye, post it to the Internet.
Among the questions in Tuesday's letter: What information does Google collect via Glass and what information is shared with third parties, including application developers?; How does Google intend to use this information?; Is Google doing anything about the broader social and ethical issues raised by such a product?
Their concerns echo those of the U.S. Congress, which in May sent a similar letter to Google about the "unanswered questions" around privacy.
"It is disappointing that Google has not engaged more meaningfully with data protection authorities about this technology," Stoddart said in a news release. "We are urging Google to take part in a real dialogue with us about Google Glass."
Google hasn't indicated when, or if, it plans to sell Google Glass in Canada.
