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Now That Google Glass Can Be Easily Hacked, Is It the Spy Cam of Choice?

Glass wearers could turn their headsets into a wireless hotspot, or even download apps currently unavailable to the operating system.
Image via Flickr

Yesterday, Android and iOS hacker Jay Freeman (aka Saurik) posted an article on his blog, noting that he 'rooted' his personal pair of Google Glass, which has the same operating system as Android. This means that future Glass users have the potential to remove all software and firmware restrictions on the device—much like 'jailbreaking' an iPhone—and this enables users to create their custom versions of Glass software. Glass wearers could turn their headsets into a wireless hotspot, or even download apps currently unavailable to the operating system.

#ifihadglass I would jailbreak it and modify the software (obviously). As Google actually sold me one; I did my part. cache.saurik.com/tinyimg/glassb…

— Jay Freeman (saurik) (@saurik) April 26, 2013

Google employees have responded that the Glass platform was designed to be hacked, and has since released the source code for Glass to open it up to anyone who wants to toy with the gadget. As one Googler famously tweeted, "Yes, Glass is hackable. Duh." Regardless of whether or not Saurik found a new exploit in Glass (he claims so), Google Glass is now an open platform. Aside from allowing for a plethora of development, what's does that mean for the newest wearable computer?

First off, Glass lacks a PIN mechanism, so if anyone snatches a pair off your expensively manicured quaff, he could root the device. This means the thief could access the camera and microphone that's been attached to your head and reconfigure the data so it's sent to a third party device, such as a personal computer or to Youtube. Fear-mongering aside, your life is probably not interesting enough to be broadcasted across the web without your knowledge.

More realistic than some random dude hacking into your Glass is that users might turn the machine into a subtle watchdog on their own. Right now, when the video or recording function is in action, the LED screen shows movement or changes color. In other words, we can tell when it's working. Freeman says that with rooted Glass, users could change their video commands so that saying a phrase like "I'm sleepy" could start the recording function as the LED looks inactive. There would be no way of knowing when you're being videotaped.

Freeman suggests that Google installs eye-based biometric, voiceprint, or PIN codes to ensure that if a user's pair is snatched, their gadget remains moderately secure. One extra security measure couldn't hurt. At the same time, it could be one of many other problems that luxury device may face in the near future.