Now let me clarify before I even start. I’m actually not taking a position either way on this, which I understand is weird because I usually come down on the side of freedom to porn. I’m simply going to tell you what happened, and then point out some of my thoughts, and then ask you to point out some things that you think because I don’t have a definitive opinion on this.
This week, adult company MiKandi developed a porn app for Google Glass (entitled “Tits and Glass”) that would allow the experience of first person point of view pictures and video of a pornographic nature. Users can also browse through the content and vote on their favorites in a way similar to liking something on Facebook. The app was already functional and just about to launch when Google quietly changed their Glassware (software for Glass) policy – no nudity, graphic sex acts or sexually explicit material, something that hadn’t been in their policy when MiKandi first began developing the app. CNN reports:
“Our policies make it clear that Glass does not allow Glassware content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts, or sexually explicit material. Any Glassware that violates this policy will be blocked from appearing on Glass,” a Google spokesperson said. The same section promises harsh penalties for any app featuring child pornography. Google also bans gratuitous violence, hate speech and gambling on Glass.
MiKandi says (somewhat inexplicably, I have no idea how they will do this) they will change their app so that it complies with the new Glassware policies. More than 10,000 people have visited the landing page for the app, and at least a dozen Glass owners have signed up for the app, proving that there are at least some out there who would like to interact with porn using Google Glass. MiKandi also runs an app store for Android devices – an app store completely for porn and porn apps.
To be clear: MiKandi isn’t exactly a progressive, feminist space nor do they really promote porn that I would watch on account of that. I choose my porn based on my politics. Even in its promotional material, MiKandi uses derogatory language with no apparent understanding of institutional power dynamics behind that language. It’s not as if a queer feminist porn empire got their porn app slammed by Google, though to be honest, they’d almost definitely receive the same treatment – their porn would still be against the new policy.
Google’s decision isn’t without precedent. Apple has basically done this on their mobile devices. Apple does not allow porn in their app store or iTunes store. Coupled with Flash not being enabled on all mobile devices, it’s relatively difficult to get porn onto an iPhone or an iPad. So the question: is Google abandoning their open platform approach and becoming a “walled garden” like Apple? Actually, probably not, at least not with the Android phones – one could root an Android phone (that is, get access to the guts of the thing and bypass much of the Google regulation). Google has stated that it will go after people who root Glass, whereas Android phones are still kinda fair game for the rooting. Conversely, Apple takes a clear stance against their equivalent action, “jailbreaking,” and one can be refused service if one has jailbroken an phone.
But Glass also has a different functionality than tablets or mobile phones based on its design. Google’s motto is “don’t be evil,” and it would feel pretty evil to me if someone was watching me in public while also watching porn. I think what we have there is a consent issue. It would be very easy to take your porn into a sphere populated by other humans who did not (or, in the case of minors, cannot) consent to the watcher’s actions. Weird. Kinda glad no one can do it right now. I love porn, but only when I’m knowingly and enthusiastically participating in the experience.
BUT! On the other hand. We hold people responsible to not go out and whack off on a subway train, porn or no porn. Some people still do it, and that’s wrong because it interferes with everyone around that person. But still, there are laws in place and it’s up to people to follow them or suffer the consequences. Everyone here is an adult. Do we really need corporations attempting to force their own code when people should just use the equipment they have responsibly? Shouldn’t we just be saying to the Glass owners, “Don’t watch porn in public because that’s a bit of a dick move and also not quite so legal?”
Finally, Google is a private company. Even though I suspect their reasoning for banning porn in Glassware has to do with public image and not any real ethical or consent discourse, they don’t actually have to give a reason. What they say goes because Glass is their product. Period. Full stop.
