9 Shocking Incidents Involving Google Glass

Note: This post was first published on Jul 17, 2014.

Google Glass was one of the first pieces of wearable technology to break into the mainstream. When it was announced, both the tech world and the general public were awed. Today, Glass is being used in ways that weren’t envisioned during its initial release. Unfortunately, there have also been some bizarre and unforeseen consequences of this technology.

From physical and verbal assaults to a shower selfie and even an interrogation session by the Department of Homeland Security, Glass users have found themselves in various dangerous, weird, and strange situations due to this wearable. Below are some of the more bizarre cases unsuspecting Google Glass users have encountered.

1. Attacked at a Bar

One of the most infamous incidents involving Google Glass occurred when Sarah Slocum was asked to remove her Glass while at a bar in San Francisco. The patrons there repeatedly told her to remove the device, not wanting to be recorded. Eventually, one patron took matters into their own hands and grabbed the Glass off her face. Although she managed to retrieve it, her purse and cellphone were stolen during the incident.

2. Assaulted in a Grab-and-Run

Business Insider writer Kyle Russell was heading home after covering a protest against a Google employee when a man suddenly grabbed his Glass. During the pursuit, the thief smashed the Glass on the ground, destroying it. Although it’s unclear if the incident was related to the protest, Russell’s tweet about the event triggered a barrage of anti-Glass and anti-Google responses, with some claiming he deserved it.

3. Received Ticket for Driving with Glass

Cecilia Abadie, a California resident, received a ticket for wearing Google Glass while driving. Authorities deemed it a distraction from driving. However, the ticket was later dismissed due to a lack of evidence proving the device was on or in use at the time of the alleged offense.

4. Glass Users Retaliate with Bad Reviews

Katy Kasmai was asked to remove her Glass while dining in a New York restaurant because some patrons felt uncomfortable potentially being recorded. She refused and left, later posting about the incident on her Google+ page. The post garnered significant attention from other Glass users, leading to a flood of negative reviews aimed at the restaurant. Kasmai eventually apologized to the restaurant for the backlash and offered to demonstrate how Google Glass works.

5. Cinema-Goer Interrogated by Feds

An AMC cinema patron wearing Google Glass was escorted out and interrogated by Homeland Security agents for 3 hours, suspected of secretly recording the movie for piracy. The user cooperated, explaining that the device was turned off and that he needed them to see, as they were prescription glasses. He was released and given four free tickets as compensation.

6. Artist Kicks Glass Users Off WiFi

After learning about a complaint from an NYU student worried that art performances could be recorded with Google Glass, Berlin-based artist Julian Oliver created a program called Glasshole.sh. The program detects any Glass connected to a WiFi network and boots them off. While this won’t stop users from using their own wireless connection, it makes it slightly more challenging for Glass users in environments where they’re not welcome.

7. “Have Glass, Will Shower”

Tech evangelist Robert Scoble is a big fan of Google Glass (though he predicted it would fail in 2014 due to its price) and swore he would never take them off. True to his word, he took a shower with his Glass on and shared the picture on his Google+ page. The infamous photo even caught the attention of Google’s CEO Larry Page, who jokingly said he “didn’t appreciate the shower photo.”

8. Glass Banned Before Arrival

Although Google recently opened up its Explorer program to the general public, it’s still considered a testing phase, not a consumer release. Despite this, some business owners preemptively banned Google Glass from their premises, fearing that the camera could be used to discreetly record video. This ban is enforced in small restaurants and large cinema chains, all in the name of privacy and preventing movie piracy.

9. Assaulted for Using Wearable Tech

The issue may not be with Google Glass itself but with wearable tech in general. Steve Mann, inventor of EyeTap, a precursor to Google Glass, is widely considered the father of wearable computing. While at a McDonald’s in Paris, he was assaulted by a man who tried to yank EyeTap off him. Unfortunately, the device was attached to his skull. Despite his efforts to explain how the device worked, Mann was forcibly removed from the restaurant, and his EyeTap was damaged during the ordeal.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the bizarre situations that Google Glass users have encountered, often through no fault of their own other than wearing the device. The risk of being assaulted for having the device is real and present, and Google Glass users can no longer expect to wear Glass without attracting attention or animosity wherever they go.

In response, Google has issued its own Do’s and Don’ts for Glass Explorers, including tips like asking for permission before using Glass in public and treating it like a cellphone camera. Given the amount of attention Glass is getting, we’ll likely see more bizarre stories in the future.