Even as Google moves toward releasing its Google Glass wearable computer for a wider audience, the search giant is facing resistance from state legislators and finding it has to lobby to protect your right to potentially distracted driving. At the same time, Glass wearers are catching flack from restaurants and other citizens bristling at the notion that they could be subject to surreptitious recording thanks to Glass’ face-mounted camera.
Google is swinging its hefty lobbying power at state lawmakers who could ban Glass while driving. Google is lobbying officials in at least three U.S. states ((Illinois, Delaware and Missouri) to stop proposed restrictions on driving with headsets such as Google Glass, “marking some of the first clashes over the nascent wearable technology,” reports Reuters, who broke the story. Google is not denying Reuters’ reports, writing in a statement, “We think it is important to be part of those discussions.” In supporting these lobbies, Google wants to blunt a growing movement against its controversial wearable device. For instance, New York assemblyman Félix Ortiz wants to ban Google Glass while driving, calling face computers “extremely dangerous technology.” In a more high-profile case, a California woman was ticketed for driving while wearing Glass, but later found not guilty.
