Article: Should Condominiums ban Google Glass and Smart Glasses in Common Areas?

FYI - something for Condominium Boards to think about - keeping up with technology. Unless I missed it, I did not see this topic on the Daily News front page here.

Since the article is from a "News Letter" I believe it is OK to post the link, as it only presents a topic for discussion.

http://www.meeb.com/should-condominiums-ban-google-glass-and-smart-glasses-in-common-areas/

Here are a few excerpts:

“Just when you were getting used to your iPhones, it is time to get ready for the next wave. Smart phones may soon be replaced with smart glasses."

“Google Glass like most smart phones also allows the user to take and share photographs and video recordings. However, unlike most smart phones, the user taking the video or photographs will not be obvious.

“Instead of pointing and clicking, Google Glass users can take photographs and video surreptiously, James Bond style.”

“This begs the question: should condominiums follow suit and ban Google glass or smart glasses from common areas?”

“Do all residents want themselves or their children being secretly photographed or videotaped in the common areas; say for example the gym or the pool?”

“Do Board Members or Property Managers want their board meetings secretly taped or photographed? Its one thing if permission is given or its obvious. Secret recordings are another matter entirely.”

“If condominiums want to ban Google Glass or Smart Glasses from the common areas, condominium boards should be able to do so by enacting a simple rule under their rule making authority. Such a rule would likely withstand scrutiny as it is done to protect legitimate privacy and safety interests of unit owners." (The author's opinion, from the article).

When you go out into a public area or common area, you have no expectation of privacy. The average person is taped or photographed about 30 times a day and mostly without knowing it.

Board members at an open meeting also have no expectation of privacy. If they are afraid that a video of them will lead to being held up for ridicule, the solution is do not act ridiculous.

I think it would be very dangerous for condos/HOAs to ban smart glasses. I have personally found the use of recorders to be very helpful in my situations. Problems arose and you had two versions of the story. The HOA would consistently act contrary to their actual words. For instance, when we were experiencing issues we talked with a lot of our neighbors. Some were in disbelief and others were angered. Those that were angry had gone to the HOA and wanted answers and the HOA sugar coated their responses and placated the angry homeowner. With recordings things were different.

Granted, the laws in my state allowed me to make such recordings AND I made it obvious (although I sat towards the back keeping to myself as to not make a disturbance), there were things that were said in the meetings that contradicted everything they said for months, or that completely ignored judicial statements. Had I not gotten actual recordings I would have been out of luck. The HOA and supporters would have denied it all and continued to go after it's opponents.

Unenforceable.

Everyone carries a smartphone and they also have cameras. They even sell 1080p cameras hidden in keychains, pens and shirt buttons.

Although you may not like being on camera, it makes no sense to create rules that cannot be enforced.

Sound like they are stirring up trouble so they can line their pockets with legal fees, after all who gets to pay for their testing ... their clients?