Google Data & Privacy

US politicians give Google a month to provide answers on Google Glass

By Angela Haggerty, Reporter

May 20, 2013 | 3 min read

US politicians have requested information from Google about its new Google Glass product, questioning the tech giant's ability to gather data from users and possible privacy infringements.

Concerns: US politicians have questioned privacy policies

The news follows claims by a UK lawyer that the new gadget from Google could break British laws.

Eight members of a Congressional caucus in America have penned the letter, requesting a response from Google by 14 June.

The letter states: "As members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, we are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of the average American.

"Because Google Glass has not yet been released and we are uncertain of Google's plans to incorporate privacy protections into the device, there are still a number of unanswered questions that we share."

Queries include how Google plans to prevent Google Glass from unintentionally collecting data about people without consent; whether the gadget will offer facial recognition technology to allow users to gain information about others; what, if any, additions or amendments Google will make to its privacy policies; and what kind of information the company intends to collect from users.

The group also questioned the extent to which privacy was considered when approving an app from the New York Times for Google Glass and whether Google would make privacy a priority for future app developers. Google recently revealed Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and eBay were developing apps in preparation for the gadget's general release next year.

The letter was signed by Joe Barton, Bobby Rush, Richard Nugent, Steve Chabot, John Barrow, Walter B. Jones, Henry C. "Hank" Johnson Jr and Loretta Sanchez.

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