The ICO has issued a mildly toned reminder about how people and organisations need to be mindful about privacy laws in the UK while they are out and about using Google Glass.
Andrew Paterson, Senior Technology Officer at ICO has penned a blog post titled “Wearable technology – the future of privacy”. In the blog post Paterson talks about wearables like smartbands and how they are extremely useful in helping users to keep track of their running routes, heart rates, calories burnt, among other things.
Paterson states that such wearables are uncontroversial for the fact that these gadgets simply create date and allows users to view them at their home.
Paterson also talks about Google Glass, which was launched in the UK recently, and notes that the primary issue with such a device is whether people have been given notice if they are filmed.
Citing instances of Google Glass bans in some bars in the US, Paterson notes that companies in the UK will also be considering their own responses and we anticipate that there will be quite a few businesses which may ban Google Glass.
Paterson reminds users that use of such wearable devices should be in compliance with the law and that they should be operated in line with the requirements with the country’s Data Protection Act.
He states that if people are using Google Glass for their own use, then they are exempt for the Act; however, if they decide that they want to use it in support of a local campaign or to start a business, the exemption no longer applies.
Businesses don’t have any exemption at all as far as use of Google Glass is concerned and on top of that as the device is capable of filming, organisations needs to be mindful of CCTV Code of Practice as well.
To read the entire post, head on here.
