Google Glass Hacked: 'The Only Thing It Doesn't Know Are Your Thoughts'

Google Glass Hacked: 'The Only Thing It Doesn't Know Are Your Thoughts'

A software developer claiming to have hacked Google Glass has published the details of his exploit online.

With a relatively simply alteration to its software, the hacker is able to set the wearable, wireless glasses to secretly record video and audio.

Android and iOS hacker Jay Freeman published the details of his hack on his website, publishing a picture of a 'rooted' pair of Google Glass to prove it.

In an editorial about the hack, ZDNet said that Freeman might have "let the evil commence" with regard to the controversial innovation.

In his report about the hack Freeman demonstrated how easy it is to crack the Google Glass software, and gave information for others to follow his lead.

Among the alterations he either made or demonstrated included a way to turn off any indication that the glasses are recording video - shown by video activity being reflected in the owner's 'eye prism'. Applications that take photos automatically or record audio covertly are also easy to make.

But the hack would also potentially open the door for a hacker to break into your Glass without your consent - which could have dire consequences. The device knows your passwords, can watch you type them and can even be used to monitor entry of door keys and other information.

Freeman explained on his website:

"Once the attacker has root on your Glass, they have much more power than if they had access to your phone or even your computer: they have control over a camera and a microphone that are attached to your head. A bugged Glass doesn't just watch your every move: it watches everything you are looking at (intentionally or furtively) and hears everything you do.

"The only thing it doesn't know are your thoughts."

Google Glass is currently in a pre-release testing stage, with about 1,500 'creatives' and industry leaders testing the new device.

But the hack is likely to raise fears that the glasses might push the boundaries of privacy, enabling wearers to covertly snoop on members of the public, record conversations and share material online.

Several bars and businesses have already banned the glasses, though whether that's down to customer demand or a chance to secure publicity is another question.

In his post, Freeman called on Google to drastically rethink their attitude to security, and to better engage its early adopters and developers about some of the pre-release issues.

For its part Google says the devices are not yet ready for the mainstream, with Chief Executive Eric Schmidt claiming they will not be generally available to the public until 2014 at the earliest.

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