Unidentified Halo, an anti-surveillance wearable project(beccaricks.space)
beccaricks.space
Unidentified Halo, an anti-surveillance wearable project
https://beccaricks.space/Unidentified-Halo
104 comments
Playing devil’s advocate, wouldn’t sufficient adoption making additional attention expensive solve this problem here?
Or sufficient adoption will make governments adopt a quite cheap (and even potentially profitable) solution: make obfuscation through such means illegal and subject to fine.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a liberal reading of existing laws in many US states might over this already.
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a liberal reading of existing laws in many US states might over this already.
Yep. It's similar to people who count on crypto to solve government interference in finance.
You can't solve a culture of pervasive government surveillance by inventing new tech, because that tech will just be outlawed or regulated to death (see the UK online safety bill). You have to change the culture that makes governments think they have the right to see everything.
You can't solve a culture of pervasive government surveillance by inventing new tech, because that tech will just be outlawed or regulated to death (see the UK online safety bill). You have to change the culture that makes governments think they have the right to see everything.
> You can't solve a culture of pervasive government surveillance by inventing new tech, because that tech will just be outlawed or regulated to death
I call bs. New regulation moves slower that the rate at which people can find workarounds
I call bs. New regulation moves slower that the rate at which people can find workarounds
Regulation can be made very broad and up to interpretation by judges though.
You could setup something like "Circumvention of facial recognition using dedicated technical devices at demonstrations is considered disguising at a demonstration and follows the same laws" in germany.
And sure, this would result in a lot of lawsuits, discussions, escalations through different courts while the regulation is being tested - and it might be struck down entirely - but it would stand for a while and strike down _all_ workarounds.
You could setup something like "Circumvention of facial recognition using dedicated technical devices at demonstrations is considered disguising at a demonstration and follows the same laws" in germany.
And sure, this would result in a lot of lawsuits, discussions, escalations through different courts while the regulation is being tested - and it might be struck down entirely - but it would stand for a while and strike down _all_ workarounds.
Sure, a few people will always do that, skirting the borders of the law. But I don't want a situation where 99% of the population is constantly surveilled while 1% finds workarounds. I want to solve the problem, I want surveillance to die in the mainstream, and in this space new regulation moves faster than mainstream adoption of new tech.
"If regulation can stop the tech, it's the wrong tech."
—DYIWEH
It is illegal for license plates in some places. But I cannot see a free country doing that for people walking or even people inside vehicals.
Well I don't know if you would consider France a free country or not, but it is illegal to hide your face in public space in France (unless it's for medical reasons or for a special event and so on). So I guess hiding your face from the face recognition system would be also illegal.
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F21613
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F21613
I wasn't long time ago wearing a mask mandatory on many places. So I guess it would be fine to cover face "because of fear from covid"?
I would say it’s a law that violates what is generally a freedom of expression.
People who obscure their license plates should have their cars impounded and licenses revoked. If you don't think traffic enforcement applies to you, you're welcome to use transit, walk or bike.
Maybe people don’t want their movement tracked and stored in a database. Any officer can clock their speed with a radar gun or give them a ticket for violating any of the hundreds of laws in the motor vehicle code, so I don’t think someone that obscures their license plate is of the impression that they’re above traffic enforcement.
"People don't want their movement tracked" <-- something that isn't happening in free societies, with the exception of maybe murderers.
"Any officer can clock their speed" <-- but you're completely cool with a society where uniformed officers are ubiquitous, randomly enforce the law and could track your movement if they wanted.
At least have the integrity and honesty to admit you just don't want to pay tickets for speeding or parking illegally.
"Any officer can clock their speed" <-- but you're completely cool with a society where uniformed officers are ubiquitous, randomly enforce the law and could track your movement if they wanted.
At least have the integrity and honesty to admit you just don't want to pay tickets for speeding or parking illegally.
>"People don't want their movement tracked" <-- something that isn't happening in free societies, with the exception of maybe murderers.
Where can we find these free societies, and how can we get there? Because if you live in the Unites States, you are most definitely being tracked by a dizzying array of private and public organizations.
Where can we find these free societies, and how can we get there? Because if you live in the Unites States, you are most definitely being tracked by a dizzying array of private and public organizations.
It is well established that the US government conducts mass surveillance on its population. I don’t know what government surveillance is like where you’re from. I actually prefer a world where humans enforce laws rather than automated systems (in general). While officers aren’t perfect, they can use their own discretion to enforce laws and that sounds better to me than living in a world with cameras watching us and instantly fining us for infractions. I personally don’t obscure my own license plate, but I believe someone who does, can do so for privacy purposes without lacking integrity or honesty.
I personally want to live in a country where 40,000+ people don't die from traffic violence every year.
I also think the subjective enforcement of laws by uniformed officers has a terrible record in this country. It strains credulity that anyone would trust a police officer more than a speed camera. I personally think it says something about their actual concerns with oppressive government.
Despite your apparent belief the government is already doing mass surveillance that impacts you, you specifically have a problem with traffic enforcement. Presumably you own a registered vehicle with a serial number and have a drivers license. Forgive me for being skeptical of "concerns about privacy" that specifically entail traffic enforcement but aren't strong enough to forgo vehicle ownership.
I don't think anyone's personal paranoia about traffic enforcement or their personal consumer preference to use a private automobile should take priority over reducing the thousands of deaths and injuries on our roads.
I also think the subjective enforcement of laws by uniformed officers has a terrible record in this country. It strains credulity that anyone would trust a police officer more than a speed camera. I personally think it says something about their actual concerns with oppressive government.
Despite your apparent belief the government is already doing mass surveillance that impacts you, you specifically have a problem with traffic enforcement. Presumably you own a registered vehicle with a serial number and have a drivers license. Forgive me for being skeptical of "concerns about privacy" that specifically entail traffic enforcement but aren't strong enough to forgo vehicle ownership.
I don't think anyone's personal paranoia about traffic enforcement or their personal consumer preference to use a private automobile should take priority over reducing the thousands of deaths and injuries on our roads.
> People who obscure their license plates should have their cars impounded and licenses revoked
People pay tax on the fuel, pay tax on the car, pay tax on the parts and servicing, yet you want the state to be able to identify the vehicles?
How many deaths and injuries do the vehicles cause in comparison to other deaths and injuries? Take the NRA and shooter deaths and injuries, or even knife crime, those people dont have to walk around with identification tattoos, and anyone can get a uniform to impersonate people of authority.
The state employees, namely the Police give you all the privacy you can afford, you wont find this online, but I've been reliably told, that the 13/14yr old son of this bloke [1], took one of the family limousines and crashed it in Kent, UK. When the Police attending the RTA realised who he was, the UK Police gave him an hour or two to clear up the mess or face being arrested. Naturally someone this rich can pull strings, so the mess was cleared up and now nothing exists online.
I dont think most people realise how life is crime free for the rich who donate to charitable causes and employ large numbers of people!
So why do we need our privacy stolen especially considering mobile phones can triangulate and locate people under the guise of cell tower traffic management and most cars now have trackers built into them to remote shut them down called telematics, also used to monitor the driving of the insured and car manufacturers[2] are proposing vehicles that can even reposses themselves.
You can learn alot from this [3] if Hollywood isnt trolling the poor whilst virtual signalling for profits!
Now watch how quickly this discussion gets pushed down onto subsequent pages of HN to protect the Rich! Position 11 @ 10:38 UTC 20230228.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Maktoum#Controversy [2] https://www.thedrive.com/news/future-fords-could-repossess-t...
[3] https://youtu.be/wXf_eaQcSdM?t=51
People pay tax on the fuel, pay tax on the car, pay tax on the parts and servicing, yet you want the state to be able to identify the vehicles?
How many deaths and injuries do the vehicles cause in comparison to other deaths and injuries? Take the NRA and shooter deaths and injuries, or even knife crime, those people dont have to walk around with identification tattoos, and anyone can get a uniform to impersonate people of authority.
The state employees, namely the Police give you all the privacy you can afford, you wont find this online, but I've been reliably told, that the 13/14yr old son of this bloke [1], took one of the family limousines and crashed it in Kent, UK. When the Police attending the RTA realised who he was, the UK Police gave him an hour or two to clear up the mess or face being arrested. Naturally someone this rich can pull strings, so the mess was cleared up and now nothing exists online.
I dont think most people realise how life is crime free for the rich who donate to charitable causes and employ large numbers of people!
So why do we need our privacy stolen especially considering mobile phones can triangulate and locate people under the guise of cell tower traffic management and most cars now have trackers built into them to remote shut them down called telematics, also used to monitor the driving of the insured and car manufacturers[2] are proposing vehicles that can even reposses themselves.
You can learn alot from this [3] if Hollywood isnt trolling the poor whilst virtual signalling for profits!
Now watch how quickly this discussion gets pushed down onto subsequent pages of HN to protect the Rich! Position 11 @ 10:38 UTC 20230228.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Maktoum#Controversy [2] https://www.thedrive.com/news/future-fords-could-repossess-t...
[3] https://youtu.be/wXf_eaQcSdM?t=51
Is your "privacy stolen" when you register your vehicle? If you were so worried about privacy you wouldn't have a vehicle.
Just admit you don't have a problem with privacy. You have a problem with automated enforcement.
And yes automated enforcement reduces deaths and injuries. That's a well documented and proven fact. Indulging your paranoia and personal consumer preferences is not worth a single injury or death.
Just admit you don't have a problem with privacy. You have a problem with automated enforcement.
And yes automated enforcement reduces deaths and injuries. That's a well documented and proven fact. Indulging your paranoia and personal consumer preferences is not worth a single injury or death.
> Is your "privacy stolen" when you register your vehicle?
No because these are in trusts or LLCs. This makes it difficult to tie a car to a specific driver license in an automated manner.
Many people are too busy checking social media to do the necessary to protect privacy.
No because these are in trusts or LLCs. This makes it difficult to tie a car to a specific driver license in an automated manner.
Many people are too busy checking social media to do the necessary to protect privacy.
>No because these are in trusts or LLCs
That could explain the police pulling me over in my car after work one night back in the 90's in order to find out who was online as this was before mobile phones.
Still, automated systems no longer apply to me, I don't have a driving licence, GP says no.
That could explain the police pulling me over in my car after work one night back in the 90's in order to find out who was online as this was before mobile phones.
Still, automated systems no longer apply to me, I don't have a driving licence, GP says no.
>indulging you paranoia
Considering how many people are tortured by employees of the state and killed, makes your statement nonsense but keep drinking the states coolaid.
bet they cant identify something like this: https://www.arnesantics.com/projects/current-cannonball-run-...
So I guess the world is going to turn into a Renaissance Venice, but with masks made out of retro reflector makeup and IR LED wearbles instead of papier mache and mystery.
Speakeasy bars in faraday cages that pulse you with an EMP at the door would be cool too.
We could also just stop non consensual surveillance of everyone and everything. I prefer that option.
We could also just stop non consensual surveillance of everyone and everything. I prefer that option.
EMP are easily repelled with faraday cages
Secret speakeasies were easily revealed by speaking about them.
I'm also joking, but only partially. It could be a fun gimmick. Check all your electronics in at the door, go through the doorway with an EMP zapper, and then enjoy a distraction free camera free evening. You get banned if you get caught sneaking in electronics and you might wreck your expensive phone, so why risk it.
I'm also joking, but only partially. It could be a fun gimmick. Check all your electronics in at the door, go through the doorway with an EMP zapper, and then enjoy a distraction free camera free evening. You get banned if you get caught sneaking in electronics and you might wreck your expensive phone, so why risk it.
Serenity did this.
It was thwarted by a brainwashed child triggered by a Fruity Oaty Bar commercial.
Can you share a link to this story/ something googleable? Sounds interesting
Honestly, that sounds kinda fun.
This is really cool, but in countries with utterly pervasive surveillance (e.g. Taiwan), this wouldn't really stop someone with access to all the cameras (i.e., the government) from tracking down who you are. They'd just hop camera to camera (they're literally EVERYWHERE) until you used your train card, or got onto a vehicle you own, or walk into your house.
What I'd be really interested in is an anti-surveillance device that utterly dazzles cameras so as to make it impossible to track camera to camera who you are / where you're going. Combine that with the occasional costume change and you've become extremely difficult to track.
What I'd be really interested in is an anti-surveillance device that utterly dazzles cameras so as to make it impossible to track camera to camera who you are / where you're going. Combine that with the occasional costume change and you've become extremely difficult to track.
What about just having fewer cameras
Paintball snipers.
The direct action solution to this may be exactly why some people are very interested in avoiding the cameras in the first place.
Test it in Great Britain?
Related to the current top story:
The Camera-Shy Hoodie - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34958153
The Camera-Shy Hoodie - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34958153
I don't know - kinda seems unwise to blast yourself with IR. You may not feel it immediately but I would certainly not rule out any long-ish term healt consequences.
It's near red infrared. It's like saying that blasting red light to your face, will have health consequences.
That is simply not true.
For example: There are, in fact, known risks to near-infrared radiation exposure. Erythema ab igne, for example, is a disorder characterized by a patchy discoloration of the skin and other clinical symptoms. It is caused by prolonged exposure to hearth fires, and it is an occupational hazard of glass blowers and bakers exposed to furnaces and hot ovens (e.g., Tsai and Hamblin 2017). It is not a risk to the general population, however, in that the irradiance is usually many times that of solar near-infrared irradiance.
For example: There are, in fact, known risks to near-infrared radiation exposure. Erythema ab igne, for example, is a disorder characterized by a patchy discoloration of the skin and other clinical symptoms. It is caused by prolonged exposure to hearth fires, and it is an occupational hazard of glass blowers and bakers exposed to furnaces and hot ovens (e.g., Tsai and Hamblin 2017). It is not a risk to the general population, however, in that the irradiance is usually many times that of solar near-infrared irradiance.
There's a huge difference between shining a few 30mA IR diodes in your face versus working all day in front of an open furnace.
I never said it is the same as open furnace. I just said that there is a distinct lack of health considerations around this idea. And your commend really underlines my statement. I mean, IR is not visible and if I can't see it, it can't hurt me, right? :-D
But seriously: She has 22 IR LEDs. Let's say 50mW each and you have over 1W of illumination in there. If you wore it while outside/at work, it could easily add up to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. That's really not "nothing", even though the immediate intensity is not comparable to furnace, the overall dosage very well might be...
But seriously: She has 22 IR LEDs. Let's say 50mW each and you have over 1W of illumination in there. If you wore it while outside/at work, it could easily add up to 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. That's really not "nothing", even though the immediate intensity is not comparable to furnace, the overall dosage very well might be...
I have IR burnt streaks running over both my corneas from working near an airfield in the 80s. Those are from diodes, or perhaps tubes.
Apparently it does, positive ones!
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34609625
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34609625
Yeah in "normal amounts" - basically what body expects from the sun. :)
I have not calculated the power output of those LEDs, I merely pointed out the fact that I don't think healt consequences should be completely overlooked by just saying "meh, it's like red, no worries"...
I have not calculated the power output of those LEDs, I merely pointed out the fact that I don't think healt consequences should be completely overlooked by just saying "meh, it's like red, no worries"...
Does your face feel warm, when the sun shines on it? Would it feel warm from a handful of low power IR LEDs? I doubt it. People underestimate the power of sunshine.
Gait detection makes these tricks useless.
Counterpoint: it does not
There's just as much evidence for my argument as for yours. I'm really sick of people going 'heh, gait analysis' in place of an argument. It doesn't work under many conditions, and the science behind it is not exactly rock solid.
There's just as much evidence for my argument as for yours. I'm really sick of people going 'heh, gait analysis' in place of an argument. It doesn't work under many conditions, and the science behind it is not exactly rock solid.
GPT post?
Said the fly (karma:158, age:75d) to the spider (karma:78244, age:5000d).
Whoa - that's a heck'in LOT of updoots.
I actually kill my accounts after a couple months on every service and start over with a new nym. I don't want the (increasingly automated) cyber stalkers to have an easy time of it. Old cypherpunk trick from the 1990s.
I actually kill my accounts after a couple months on every service and start over with a new nym. I don't want the (increasingly automated) cyber stalkers to have an easy time of it. Old cypherpunk trick from the 1990s.
For the young'uns in the audience, is there a good primer on defense against cyberstalkingbots?
You need to kill your accounts after a couple months on every service and start over with a new nym.
Haven't been cyberly stalked by a bot since the 90s
Haven't been cyberly stalked by a bot since the 90s
Everybody’s doing persona management these days.
Stick to tragedy
Post like a bot, and people will treat you like one.
Last I tried, trench coats or long skirts were enough to thwart gait ID stuff.
[deleted]
that can be modeled, bet you can tell where the pebble is with a newish model
I believe the protesters in Hong Kong in 2019 found ways to defeat gait detection.
Used the trick from the old CIA handbook, put a small, not too sharp, rock in your shoe.
steponlego(1)
Angle grinders truly are the gift that keeps on giving
Everyone should adopt the Sandwalk from Dune fame.
We all need cardboard boxes as we learned from Snake.
Need secure PRNG for cryptowalk harness.
So... everyone has to carry a lavalamp in a backpack?
Gait detection is very easy to fool, here's an instructional video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNeeovY4qNU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNeeovY4qNU
It much easier to defeat gait detection than it is facial recognition. A pebble to put inside your shoe is very cheap.
Put a rock in your shoe to get around it
back when videoing theater screens for making bootlegs was rampant, we used to talk about installing IR LEDS in the projection screens to ruin the image of the camera's recording. nobody felt the expense was worth it, and the trend became obsolete when ripping blu-ray quality sources became easy
I wonder if there’s a shoe insert one could make that would poison gait analysis. Something in your shoe that gives you a different limp every so often. Lift your heal a little or put a lump under the ball of your foot.
This exists, we call it "gravel"
I can imagine paranoid HN users filling their shoes with gravel to avoid big tech surveillance
"I'm (ow!) sticking it (oh!) to the (ow!) man!"
Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
There are (medical) shoe attachments for modifying gait: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/usf_patents/856/
This version is free: https://youtu.be/5rdXvtdSIF8
[deleted]
Here's a similar product in production:
https://www.reflectacles.com/
https://www.reflectacles.com/
This is my friend! So crazy to lurk HN for years and then spot someone you know on here.
isn't this very similar to the, quite venerable, https://adam.harvey.studio/cvdazzle/ ?
Reminds me of gevulot in the quantum thief
I love the link arrows on this page.
This is already obsolete.
Stupid, because it gives people a false sense of how this stuff actually works in the real world. Anti-knowledge if you will.
We sadly live in an age where we must be careful what we put out there.
We sadly live in an age where we must be careful what we put out there.
It clearly states it's a project from 2016, that's 6 years ago. The IP test video was also uploaded in 2016. People are allowed to keep their own past projects up on their personal websites.
That’s a good detail I didn’t notice.
I hereby detract my criticism.
I hereby detract my criticism.
[1] https://platerecognizer.com/alpr-for-vehicles-without-licens...
[2] https://www.dahuasecurity.com/asset/upload/uploads/soft/2021...