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Smart Cameras Detect Crime, Erode Privacy

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the unblinking-eye dept.

MattSparkes writes "Smart surveillance systems could identify crimes as they take place, if a computer vision system developed at the University of Texas goes into production. The system is capable of classifying behaviour as friendly or violent. In the past there have been attempts to spot unusual behaviour, but this required subsequent user classification. These new systems may keep us more secure, but is it worth sacrificing our privacy for? And will we see false positives, where police cars screech to a halt beside hugging couples?"

7 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. Easily solveable by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

    And will we see false positives, where police cars screech to a halt beside hugging couples?

    This is easily solvable by splitting behavior into 3 different types: Normal, dangerous, and HOT!

    This could revolutionize the webcam industry.

    1. Re:Easily solveable by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      > > And will we see false positives, where police cars screech to a halt beside hugging couples?
      >
      > This is easily solvable by splitting behavior into 3 different types: Normal, dangerous, and HOT!

      Whenever "hugging" and "handshaking" gestures are detected simultaneously, stream feed to "Horny Amateurs On Pay-Per-View" for 15 minutes, notify police, then switch feed to "World's Funniest Police Videos" for the next 15 minutes.

      And if said gestures continue in the presence of a nightstick, just switch back to the first channel!

    2. Re:Easily solveable by slashbob22 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Will the DRM benefit the artist(s) in this case?

      --
      Proof by very large bribes. QED.
  2. Riiight by igny · · Score: 2, Funny

    That will teach robbers some politeness!

    --
    In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. - Yogi Berra
  3. Re:If we could trust... by Ciarang · · Score: 3, Funny

    Doh. Spellcheckers don't notice when you type 'than' instead of 'then' do they. Hopefully 3.0 will have a grammar checker for you.

  4. Re:Privacy? by dr_dank · · Score: 4, Funny

    Should I expect to be able to walk down the street with my dick hanging out of my pants screaming "FREE SPEECH! FREE SPEECH!" at the top of my lungs

    Many don't know that you really can shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater if you have your dick hanging out of your pants.

    Try it and see!

    Fun Fact: Thomas Jefferson wrote the entire Declaration of Independence with his dick hanging out of his pants.

    --
    Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
  5. Re:Privacy? by ThatsNotFunny · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hanging? Please... let's be honest... "Poking" or "Sticking" I might believe... but Hanging? Sheesh...

    --
    "Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine No Posessions?'" -- Elvis Costello