Google Glass privacy concerns must be addressed by June 14 says Congress

Glass was nary more than a twinkle in Google's eye (pun intended) when many started voicing their concerns over privacy, followed shortly by preemptive bans against the wearable device by bars and similar associations. While Google has talked about Glass and privacy to various degrees over the past weeks, it is going to have to zero in on specific concerns by June 14, according to Congress.

The request for responses to privacy concerns was sent in a formal letter on behalf of eight Congressmen via the Bipartisan Congressional Privacy Caucus. The letter poses eight questions, all of which are things – or variations of things – we've heard before, such as how Google plans to protect non users' privacy, if it will be updating its privacy policy and what those updates could look like, and what data it will collect from users

One big question posed concerned the debacle that happened a couple years ago regarding Google's mining of data from unprotected wireless networks, an action that ultimately got it slapped with a $7 million settlement across 38 states. The eight individuals behind the formal request are wanting Google to detail how it will prevent the unintentional collection of data about Glass users and non-users alike.

Another area the Congressmen are looking for answers concerns facial recognition. Says the letter that was delivered to Google CEO Larry Page, "Is it true that this product would be able to use Facial Recognition Technology to unveil personal information about whomever and even some inanimate objects that the user is viewing?" It follows up with additional questions related to that, such as whether someone who doesn't use the device would be able to "opt-out" of this feature, and if not, why that is the case.

The letter goes on to detail additional concerns, and sums it up with a request for Google to respond "no later than" June 14. This follows an expansion to the list of places that have banned Glass on May 8, when it was announced the device can't be used in Caesers Palace in Las Vegas due to concerns about cheating.

SOURCE: House.gov