Turning a Blind Eye to Big Brother

SiliconRedox writes: "An article in the NYTimes (user reg.) details what many of us who have worked with video or electronics have known for quite awhile: Shine a laser beam (or infrared, but the article doesn't get into that) at a video camera, and you can effectively blind certain viewpoints of the camera. The article follows one man trying to cope with the surveillence society by removing his own image from everyday video footage using this technique. The most interesting part? What kind of culpability does the individual or institution have in utilizing this kind of technology?"

Comments

Re:frst pizzzsssst

[alphaparadigm]

just use the ablabla mirror. It may be horribly offensive, but it has the story.

What about where cameras secure us?

[HorizonXP]

Well, this technique sounds interesting but... What about places where it's pretty damned imperative to have a video camera? Like banks and convenience stores, where the camera can catch at least SOME details of the criminal(s). With techniques such as this, they could blind the camera so that they'd never be caught on tape. Thinking about it now, I'd set up a 2nd guy outside the store, shooting the laser in at the camera, so the 1st guy can do his thing. Or how about in airports? Like how those 9/11 hijackers were seen on tape? What if they'd masked themselves with this laser? We'd still have a vague clue about who was actually on the plane. (Not the best example, but you get my drift) I say this is interesting stuff to KNOW, but I wouldn't feel too secure knowing that criminals can have free reign about who records their image.

Does anybody can image Peter Norton (c)?

[cniebla]

This guy has his image copyrighted!

Re:Privacy

[GigsVT]

Virginia:
18.2-422. Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions.

It shall be unlawful for any person over sixteen years of age while wearing any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to persons (i) wearing traditional holiday costumes; (ii) engaged in professions, trades, employment or other activities and wearing protective masks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer or other persons; (iii) engaged in any bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball; or (iv) wearing a mask, hood or other device for bona fide medical reasons upon the advice of a licensed physician or osteopath and carrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopath specifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on which the wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a brief description of the device. The violation of any provisions of this section shall constitute a Class 6 felony.