Google Goggles

With technology becoming ever more prominent in our lives, Google is working on yet another gadget that could become the next big thing. Google is expected to launch their new Google glasses sometime this year. These glasses "will project information, entertainment and, this being a Google product, advertisements onto the lenses." The glasses will feature many of the same functions as smart phones do, such as a camera, GPS and audio inputs and outputs.

However, what makes the glasses slightly more controversial is its facial recognition feature. Though it will be useful in playing virtual games, it raises the question of privacy issues. Theoretically, the glasses could match a complete stranger up with shared friends and other social networks.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to "to suspend the use of facial recognition software until the government could come up with adequate safeguards and privacy standards to protect citizens." However, this brings Google's new privacy policy into mind. If the government will allow Google to change its privacy policy and allow users to be more susceptible to fraud and identity theft, who's to say that it'll do anything about facial recognition in glasses?

Furthermore, the government will not be able to regulate any of the content seen on the glasses. Mr. William Brinkman says "it’s also going to change real-world advertising, where companies can virtually place ads over other people’s ads." If the government has absolutely no control over what occurs behind the lenses, how will the media be held accountable for any claims it may make?

What are your thoughts on these new Google goggles? How will it affect user privacy? Will the media change?

Google Pulls Out From China

Yesterday, Google closed its search engine in China after two months of threatening to leave due to censorship issues and Chinese hackers. The google.cn address does not work anymore, and users from mainland China are now directed to an uncensored Google search engine site in Hong Kong.

The move has spurred conflict between the international company and China. Chinese officials appear angered, citing that Google broke its promise to retain agreed upon censorship contracts. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it would handle the act "according to the law," and that the move should not affect Chinese-U.S. relationships. Google's chief legal officer said that he hoped "the Chinese government respects our decision."

Google's withdrawal from China is only partial, for now. Although the search engine no longer functions, Google will maintain their online maps and music services, as well as its research, development, and sales teams on the Chinese mainland.

Although censored, many believed that Google's entrance into China's market would allow Chinese citizens access to much more outside information. It symbolized China's growing acceptance of foreign influence on its citizens. Now that Google has removed itself from China, many Chinese have grown worried, especially students and professors who have lost access to Google's vast resources.

Looking from a business point of view, should Google have pulled out of China (keep in mind that only a small share of Google's overall profit is from China)? From a political and social point of view, was this a wise decision? Should this even be considered from the latter two points of views, or should it be contained purely as a business matter?

To read more about the official dealings, please read Google's blog post, with details about the situation.