Google Glass and the Surveillance State

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We now face a moment of time in modern society where the evolution of technology is vastly outperforming human performance, in turn ultimately affecting how humans interact with technology as well as how technology itself affects humans and their social interactions. As of late, the current socioeconomic system, coupled with the geopolitical climate in the West has ultimately shaped how technology is used in society. In particular, the recent emerging trend has been that of surveillance through technological means, in order to record and store information about the citizens within that society. The emergence of new technologies, such as Google Glass (GG) now allow humans to interact like never before; using the movement of one’s eyes as if using a mouse interacting with a stationary personal computer. The user can upload and share files, take photos and record video, as well as accepting voice commands via voice recognition. The implications of such a technology are immense, as questions concerning the invasion of privacy, intellectual property and human identity come to mind. Therefore, it will be argued that GG is the ultimate tool of the surveillance state, and how it affects human interaction, influences human personhood and thus human identity, as a whole.

The introduction of GG in early 2013 is essentially a mobile computer which the user interacts with in the form of a pair of eyeglasses. It contains an “optical head-mounted display” which is technology developed by Google in its research program known as Project Glass. Technology typically augments human ability. Helena De Preester coined certain technological implements as a “prosthesis”, which aids human activities in society. Such prostheses can then supplement the h...

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...s, the user implementing such technology doesn’t realize that they are using it once fully accustomed to its features. However, it will affect everyone else that individual is interacting with, as it could lead to antisocial behaviour such as spying on others, cyberbullying, corporate espionage and ultimately hampering human social interactions in a negative way. The surveillance state would welcome such behaviour, as it would make their solutions and institutions, such as law enforcements and governmental bodies, more relevant in society. Therefore, it is imperative that the general public be informed as to the true nature of GG. While it may be touted as providing convenience to sharing information with others in a quicker, easier approach, the data being tracked and sold to other institutions within that society make all the users a prime target of surveillance.

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