Google Glass wearer detained by Homeland Secuirty while attending movie

BY Kelly Hodgkins

Published 21 Jan 2014

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A man who wore his Google Glass into a movie theatre was forcibly removed and accused of illegally taping the movie, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. He told his story to The Gadgeteer, which describes how he was interrogated by federal agents about his personal information, employment, and his alleged contacts in the movie pirating industry.

The officers were allegedly interested in the Glass device and wanted to know how be obtained it. Apparently not aware of the technology, he claims “they wanted to know what does Google ask of me in exchange for Glass, how much is Google paying me, who is my boss and why am I recording the movie.” He offered to show them what was on they device, but they refused him access to a computer. After more than three hours of questioning, he was released when an officer connected the Google Glass device to a computer and found only family pictures.

This story was not corroborated when it was originally published, but a followup from Business Insider confirmed the story.

Movie theft is something we take very seriously, and our theater managers contact the Motion Picture Association of America anytime it’s suspected that someone may be illegally recording content on screen. While we’re huge fans of technology and innovation, wearing a device that has the capability to record video is not appropriate at the movie theatre. At AMC Easton 30 last weekend, a guest was questioned for possible movie theft after he was identified wearing a recording device during a film. The presence of this recording device prompted an investigation by the MPAA, which was on site. The MPAA then contacted Homeland Security, which oversees movie theft. The investigation determined the guest was not recording content.

To compensate him for his trouble, the officers explained what they did without apology and gave the man four free passes to another movie at AMC.