Skip to main content

Google: Sorry, we can’t run a coherent Google Glass contest and need some invites back

Google began sending invitations on Tuesday to the 8,000 winners of its #ifihadglass contest but admitted roughly a day later that it would revoke invites for applicants who didn’t follow the rules.

The Internet became abuzz yesterday with criticism over who did or didn’t win a pair of space-age spectacles, and Google eventually also realized it messed up when doling out the invites.

In a Google+ post yesterday, Project Glass announced, “It’s become clear that a few applications that don’t comply with our terms have slipped through the cracks, and we’re going to have to disqualify applications like these.”

To become one of the winners in the Glass Explorer program, individuals —absolutely no businesses, etc.— could apply by posting what they would do if they had Glass. The posts had to start with the #IfIHadGlass hashtag on Google+ or Twitter and could not exceed 50 words.

A long list of other requirements also warned applicants to comply in order to win. Google demanded entries, for instance, could not feature language considered “derogatory, offensive, threatening, defamatory, disparaging, libelous or contain any content that is inappropriate, indecent, sexual, profane, indecent, tortuous, slanderous, discriminatory in any way.”

A quick search on Twitter, however, revealed many of the Explorer program winners did not adhere to Google’s stipulations.

Despite the subsequent debacle, though, Google said it is still excited to hear honest feedback from people who are “enthralled and excited by Glass”—and even those who are skeptical and critical.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel