It was only a matter of time before Congress got wind of Google Glass, and that time is now.
Members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus this week penned a letter to Google CEO Larry Page, asking for more details on the privacy implications of the futuristic specs.
"We are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of the average American," wrote caucus co-chairman Joe Barton, a Texas Republican. "Because Google Glass has not yet been released and we are uncertain of Google's plans to incorporate privacy protections into the device, there are still a number of unanswered questions that we share."
As a result, Barton and seven of his fellow caucus members, asked Page to respond, by June 14, to several specific questions about Glass and privacy.
The letter pointed to Google's unauthorized collection of data traveling over unencrypted Wi-Fi networks, which resulted in a $7 million settlement in the U.S. Barton said he was "thankful" that Google acknowledged its mistake in that incident, but wants to know "how Google plans to prevent Google Glass from unintentionally collecting data about the user/non-user without consent?"
The caucus also wants details on how Google plans to protect non-Glass wearers, as well as owners who decide to sell their gadget. Furthermore, Barton wants to know if Glass includes facial-recognition technology and if a non-user could opt out of that.
On the data collection side, Barton asked if Google has plans to collect data about Glass users, and what type of privacy considerations go into the approval of apps for Glass.
Some of those issues came up at the Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco today, where Google held several panels to discuss its emerging technology. But the search giant did not offer any concrete details about data collection; it has only just started opening up Glass beyond the handful of apps with which it launched.
Other members of Congress who signed the letter, meanwhile, included Reps. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), Richard Nugent (R-Fla.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), John Barrow (D-Ga.), Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.), Hank Johnson, Jr. (D-Ga.), and Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.).
For more, check out Google Glass: Everything You Need to Know and Google Glass's White Male Problem.