What are the legal implications of Google Clips?
Since privacy is a primary concern with this new device, Google has made protecting privacy a priority with Google Clips. These are the efforts Google has taken to address privacy concerns:
- The device looks like a camera, so it is obvious as to what it is. It also has an indicator light when it is on, so people know when it may be recording.
- It works best within 10 feet of the subject, so it can be in plain sight.
- None of the clips leave the device until you open the app on your phone. They are not stored in a cloud or sent anywhere without you knowing.
- It works best when used around family and close friends. It does not take pictures of people it does not recognize.
- It does not record audio.
Although these protections have been put into place, people still have concerns with Google Clips. David Gray, a law professor at the University of Maryland, raises the point that this is “the kind of device that makes us more comfortable, more accustomed to the idea of constant surveillance.” Another concern is even though Google Clips has put these privacy protections in place, what stops another company from making a similar device without them? Many believe this is inviting more intrusive technologies to be created and accepted. Navneet Alang, a technology and culture writer, noted “In an age in which facial recognition technology is already being used to apprehend criminals, a smarter camera from one of the world’s largest companies is something impossible to see as merely fun.” Along with this, Gray points out that the increase of this type of surveillance technology is threatening citizens’ fourth amendment rights. He discusses this legal implication on a podcast found at: https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/dan-rodricks-blog/bs-roughly-speaking-4th-amendment-20170601-htmlstory.html
References
Alang, N. (2018, March 01). The disturbing acceptance of Google’s new ‘smart’ camera. Retrieved from https://theweek.com/articles/757939/disturbing-acceptance-googles-new-smart-camera
Daileda, C. (2017, October 06). What Google Clips means for privacy and constant surveillance. Retrieved from https://mashable.com/2017/10/06/google-clips-cameras-privacy/#yT1OUk.s_sqm
Payne, J. (2017, October 04). A new angle on your favorite moments with Google Clips. Retrieved from https://www.blog.google/products/clips/google-clips/
Rodricks, D. (2017, June 01). Roughly Speaking podcast: Your rights as a citizen in the surveillance state (episode 259). Retrieved from https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/dan-rodricks-blog/bs-roughly-speaking-4th-amendment-20170601-htmlstory.html