Local bar owner preemptively bans Google Glass
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SEATTLE -- Citing privacy issues, a Seattle bar owner has become the first known businessman to ban a new high-tech device called Google Glass.
The futuristic glasses allow the wearer to record everything he or she sees, and that idea doesn't sit well with David Meinert.
"Someone could record you doing something you really don't want them to see," said Meinert, who owns the Five Point Cafe.
Meinert doesn't want his customers to be filmed drinking, hitting on someone or even getting a little rowdy.
"(The Five Point) is one of those places you go late at night or early in the morning," he said. "You don't necessarily want people to know you're here."
The Google Glass frames let users surf the Internet, take pictures and record video, all by voice command.
"I thought it was interesting until I saw them," Meinert said.
Even though they're not yet available to the public, Meinert has preemptively banned the glasses in his bar because he wants his customers to feel comfortable.
He said the Five Point crowd ranges from musicians to politicians to hookers, and all of them deserve their privacy.
"It just has a little bit of a seedy nature of private things we don't want someone in there with a camera," he said.
Google will start selling the $1,500 glasses in 2014. A company spokesperson said it will take time for people to figure out the best way to use glasses.
The futuristic glasses allow the wearer to record everything he or she sees, and that idea doesn't sit well with David Meinert.
"Someone could record you doing something you really don't want them to see," said Meinert, who owns the Five Point Cafe.
Meinert doesn't want his customers to be filmed drinking, hitting on someone or even getting a little rowdy.
"(The Five Point) is one of those places you go late at night or early in the morning," he said. "You don't necessarily want people to know you're here."
The Google Glass frames let users surf the Internet, take pictures and record video, all by voice command.
"I thought it was interesting until I saw them," Meinert said.
Even though they're not yet available to the public, Meinert has preemptively banned the glasses in his bar because he wants his customers to feel comfortable.
He said the Five Point crowd ranges from musicians to politicians to hookers, and all of them deserve their privacy.
"It just has a little bit of a seedy nature of private things we don't want someone in there with a camera," he said.
Google will start selling the $1,500 glasses in 2014. A company spokesperson said it will take time for people to figure out the best way to use glasses.
This bar owner is a dunce. There are already so many ways to record people that people don't realize. You can look like you're reading your phone and be videotaping.
You can wear something that looks like a bluetooth headset and be recording. Go google the "looksie" recorder and see what I mean.
The ways are endless. Banning this new device is just dumb, especially in the tech. savvy area of the Puget Sound.Â
Sounds like a classy joint!
Leave it to Google to design gadgets that no one including their creators have a clue what they are good for.
I wonder how long it will take before a porn is taped strictly with these glasses. Let's think of some names...
Oogle my Google
The glASSES
Spextacles
@Tattooed_Angel2 Not even a smile x 3
The BI Bifocals, The Rims Give a Rimmer
I really don't like the idea of these glasses- think of the perv in the bathroom recording you or your child, or in the gym changing room- yes I know there are already other devices that do the same.Â
I'll take "Publicity Stunts" for $200, Alex.
@Mumblix Grumph Yep, the press got played again.  This has been making the rounds on the tech sites for a couple of days.
"He said the Five Point crowd ranges from musicians to politicians to hookers, and all of them deserve their privacy."
Captures most of Seattle's history more than you may realize...Those have go to be the stupidest things I have ever seen! We get turned into stupid cyberspace controlled robots more and more every day!
@Zoso While people are paranoid about the government private industry knows more about you than even you do...
Pretty funny. Another antiquated device thats been around for years and then Google tries to make it sound new. You can buy these glasses on ebay for $30. And these google glasses are so obvious what they are. You can buy others that just look like regular glasses. I've used a pair at times where cops are feeling frisky and don't want to be recorded. Or sometimes at county council meetings where the politicians don't like being recorded.
@BlindmanNo, you can't buy them for $30.
@Blindmani think the 3$30 ones don't work well and as you said, look obvious. There is a great site LadiesDetective.com for DIY covert stuff %s
The link i posted has pretty good quality and is affordable.
@BlindmanThey are more than just a video camera..
The devices have a red light that is clearly visible to people around when it is recording video. Â And of course people are going to hear the person operating them give the voice command to take a picture.Â
@CommutingGuy I hope you're being ironic. A piece of tape solves the first problem, and the noise inside a bar during business hours solves the second.
@Sutekh @CommutingGuy Even less obvious is a little dab of paint the same color as the glasses.
@Sutekh Washington requires two parties to consent for audio recording where private citizens are the two parties.Â
@tats76Â @Citizen#3457899654 Businesses definitely aren't public. I'd imagine there won't be too many new issues that don't currently exist in public places.
@Citizen#3457899654 What if you're in a public place?
He makes it sound like illegal stuff happens all the time in his place. Not a good advertisement for his bar.
The Five Points is a beloved institution in Belltown. The crowd is about as diverse as you can get; older folks, younger folks, all colors and social strata. Their food is great; their bar selection extensive and the jukebox has a wide variety of tunes. They have a fabulous brunch and you will find families in there every weekend. It is definitely the kind of place people go to just relax and let thier hair down.Â
@IlBrutto13 Actully it brilliant. Think about it. Here's a bar that never been on my radar. Bang out a press release as the David standing up to the Giant Google and this guy is getting outrageous free advertising. This story has now gone national.