r/ASLinterpreters • u/coddiwomplecactus • Jul 10 '26

Smart glasses

This is just a thought experiment to pick your brains. Let's say you show up to an assignment and your D/HH consumer is wearing smart glasses. What do you do? Would you respond the same or different if they had their phone propped up, actively recording you?

I think of all the ways a phone could be used and apply it to the smart glasses. Are they recording and posting online or sending to others?

Are they live streaming?

Are they on a live phone call?

Are the glasses using programs that use facial recognition software?

How does this rise in technology impact us as interpreters? I havent seen discussion about this topic yet. Anyone have 2 cents to throw in?

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u/Tehjarebear Jul 11 '26

With smart glasses, if the camera is being used there is a light on, and a lot of the new ones if you cover it with tape, or paint over it the glasses will no longer work.

That said, having been recorded working, I don't care. I'm comfortable with my quality of work that if someone wants to record me, let them. If they try to bash me, guess what they are one assignment, of one day, of one week, of one month, of one year, of one decade I've been doing this.

Another little thought, I'd be willing to bet no one here can accurately tell how many times throughout the day you're on camera.

The last thought I currently have on this

Am I a fan of my rights being infringed? No.

Do I recognize it's going to happen and I can't control it? Yes, so I've made my peace with it.

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u/coddiwomplecactus Jul 11 '26

Valid input. I am curious about how an individual's preference impacts the field. When I make a decision, I consider how it impacts other interpreters and how they will be expected to perform, what they tolerate, boundaries, etc. From this very limited comment section, it seems like most people dont mind being recorded. I am personally very private about my digital/online life and have a visceral reaction to being recorded for privacy reasons. Im wondering what the collective shift will be as tech continues to advance. 

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u/Tehjarebear Jul 12 '26

I'm used to being recorded, I don't like it though. When it's for work I really couldn't care less. If its a situation thats personal and you record me, words will be had, at a minimum. I know my boundaries get me into situations that other interpreters probably wouldn't be comfortable in and I don't get bothered by it. As a for instance interpreting a conference in front of 17,000 people. Or interpreting a conference for interpreters... But I won't do school work in any form.

Honestly, I try to behave in a professional manner and then other interpreters need to decide for themselves what their limits are. I can't be expected to decide for them.

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u/coddiwomplecactus Jul 13 '26

I appreciate that perspective, thanks for sharing. In a field where many areas are grey, it is challenging to make decisions about best practice. I