Google Glass Security Still A Concern
By Katie Wike, contributing writer
Despite the promise of Google Glass, providers have concerns about the security of the high tech device.
The introduction of Google Glass promised hands-free navigation of digital information, easy educational recording, and even guidance during surgery. Despite these technological promises, providers are concerned about patient privacy related to images and data transmitted through the high-tech device.
According to iHealth Beat, some patient privacy issues and glitches Google Glass users are dealing with include:
- being able to connect to hospitals' secure wireless networks
- temporarily disabling the camera and visually displaying that there is no recording taking place
- poor camera quality
- short battery life
- the device's potential to heat up over time
The Atlantic writes, “If privacy issues can be solved, some physicians think this new tool could be especially beneficial in the operating room. The innovation acceleration program at Boston Children’s Hospital is developing ‘Glass Surgeon,’ an application that allows the device to improve and streamline the surgical experience.”
Physicians who use Glass are open to HIPAA violations, according to The Atlantic. “It’s Google, which wants everything publicly available, and healthcare, which wants nothing publicly available,” said Alexandra Pelletier, manager of the FastTrack Innovation in Technology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.
In April, a survey showed 72 percent of American cited privacy concerns as their top reason for not wanting Google Glass. They were concerned about the possibility of hackers accessing personal data and revealing personal information, including location information.