Eric Schmidt: Regulate civilian drones but not Google Glass

“At some point in the not-too-distant future, the skies could be filled with drones — swarms of insect-size and larger drones hovering over neighborhoods, alleyways, and even inside bedrooms,” Dan Farber reports for CNET. “That’s a nightmare future, according to Google’s Eric Schmidt.”

“In an interview with the Guardian, he said. ‘You’re having a dispute with your neighbor. How would you feel if your neighbor went over and bought a commercial observation drone that they can launch from their backyard? It just flies over your house all day. How would you feel about it?'” Farber reports. “Following the proliferation of mini-drones, someone will invent mini surface-to-air missiles to vaporize offending sentinels lurking over your backyard. But the Google executive chairman prefers to ‘not spread and democratize the ability to fight war to every single human being.'””

Farber reports, “For Schmidt, Google Glass provides a way to help spread democracy around the globe. Glass empowers people to quickly get information and record what is around them. It also bears similarities to a drone.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Note: We read the full article, but couldn’t find Schmidt’s statement that Google Glass should be exempt from regulation. It may or may not be true that Schmidt feels this way, but it seems only to be inferred by Farber, not explicitly stated by Schmidt.

Of course, if Eric doesn’t like being recorded by drones, he could always just move. 😉

We do expect that the mole wishes he had Google Glass while he sat on Apple’s BoD. His job would have been easier. Maybe Android wouldn’t suck as much as it does if he had a better means of recording Apple’s goings on back then.

Regardless, obviously, Google Glass would be a nice bit of spy kit. Such a thing – made by Google, or Apple, or anybody else – should and hopefully will be barred from certain places such as locker rooms, etc.

Related article:
Google CEO Schmidt: If you don’t like being in Google Street View then ‘just move’ – October 28, 2010

12 Comments

  1. Well, for Eric Schmidt… If he doesn’t like the little drones flying around his house or job. He can change his name and move to a country without drones. Karma is a Bitch.

  2. It’s pathetic how whatever Schmidt does is deemed to be OK ( spy glasses, street view cars peering over people’s hedges, and sneaky collection of on-line personal data ), but comparable technology that Google doesn’t have a vested interest in is deemed to be dangerous.

    Anyone who knows anything of the history of the iPhone and Android will realise that Schmidt has no concept of morals or integrity, so he has no right to be lecturing others about what is right and wrong.

  3. Seeing as I greatly appreciate my innate right to privacy, if drones came to visit my house, why would be shot down.

    I have investigated the possibility of building a localized EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) device, but found the power requirements due to the Inverse Square Law are at this time highly prohibitive. Therefore, a well aimed projectile weapon remains the instrument of choice.

    And yes cops, NEA, FBI, Corporate Oligarchy, ad nauseam, that includes your drones too. Get a valid, judge signed WARRANT first please. Otherwise, expect your gadget to be shot down. Thank you! 😀

  4. someone will invent mini surface-to-air missiles

    He’s too late; it’s already been done. There are small, hand-launched missiles with on-board guidance that seeks radar transmitters. The bad guys already have these. The tough part is trying to defend against them without becoming the target.

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