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App puts porn on Glass, Google vows to block it

Even the name of the app is not safe for work; Google says explicit content is not welcome on Glass.

Eric Mack Contributing Editor
Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.
Expertise Solar, solar storage, space, science, climate change, deregulated energy, DIY solar panels, DIY off-grid life projects. CNET's "Living off the Grid" series. https://www.cnet.com/feature/home/energy-and-utilities/living-off-the-grid/ Credentials
  • Finalist for the Nesta Tipping Point prize and a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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Eric Mack
2 min read
Answering one rapper's request to "put 'em on the Glass?" MiKandi

Last week we learned that porn is being developed for Google Glass, finally giving me reason to be creeped out about the new technology, even if it is still in the development phase and not yet ready for prime time.

The folks at Google (X) got in touch over the weekend to point me to the developer policies for the Glass platform that specifically prohibit "content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts, or sexually explicit material."

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Then today, the first pornographic and super not-safe-for-work app for Glass officially dropped. Even its name is NSFW, but let's just say it rhymes with "Bits and Glass" and it circumvents Google's process for approving Glassware by loading itself as unreviewed Glassware, sort of like side-loading an Android app that wasn't downloaded from the Google Play store.

The explicit glassware comes from MiKandi, maker of an alternative Android app store full of literally thousands of sexually explicit offerings. Not wanting to be too exclusive, the naughty content is also accessible to non-Glass users via Google+.

I reached out to Google and a Glass spokesperson gave me this statement:

"Our policies make it clear that Glass does not allow Glassware content that contains nudity, graphic sexual acts, or sexually explicit material. Any Glassware that violates this policy will be blocked from appearing on Glass."

So if you're really gung-ho about the opportunity to be a perved-out cyborg, it looks like you might want to get familiar with the rooting process.