Hackers Rebel Against Spy Cams

Wired is running an article looking at the little ways in which Austrian technology users are striking back against surveillance. From the article: "Members of the organization worked out a way to intercept the camera images with an inexpensive, 1-GHz satellite receiver. The signal could then be descrambled using hardware designed to enhance copy-protected video as it's transferred from DVD to VHS tape. The Quintessenz activists then began figuring out how to blind the cameras with balloons, lasers and infrared devices. And, just for fun, the group created an anonymous surveillance system that uses face-recognition software to place a black stripe over the eyes of people whose images are recorded."

Comments

Re:Huge difference with speed cameras

[dangitman]

What's not? Some bonehead decides that 45 mph is the max speed for a straight stretch of road 10 miles long through empty land between 2 highways.

No, the general idea is that the faster you go, the less control and reaction time you have. Since most people aren't responsible enough to control their speed safely, a limit has to be set somewhere.

Where'd that number come from?

It's not arbitrary, it's based on whether or not it's a residential area, the condition of the road, etc. At least it shouldn't be arbitrary.

Anyway, what's the big deal? How does it hurt you to be set an arbitrary limit? We set an arbitrary age for getting a driver's license. If you don't like the rules, don't drive. What is the benefit of eliminating speed limits supposed to be?