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Newly Declassified Window Film Keeps Out Snoops

Posted by kdawson on from the pricey-tinfoil-hat-for-your-house dept.

An anonymous reader writes to describe a newly declassified window film from CPFilms Inc. that could give war drivers fits. Scientific American has the story, which includes a rather dismissive comment by Bruce Schneier. "Once manufactured under an exclusive contract with the US government, this recently declassified window film is now available to the public. But don't expect to see it on store shelves anytime soon. Currently, it's only available directly from the manufacturer, and at prices that will likely make it prohibitive for all but the wealthiest home owners. The two-millimeter-thick coating can block Wi-Fi signals, cell phone transmissions, even the near-infrared, yet is almost transparent... It can keep signals in (preventing attempts to spy on electronic communications) or out, minimizing radio interference and even the fabled electronics-destroying electromagnetic pulse generated by a nuclear blast."

5 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. What about the walls? by d12v10 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't know much about radio signals, but what about the walls and paneling? Can they get through that?

  2. Cinema Wallpaper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If They could make it into a wallpaper they could apply it to the inside of cinemas so assholes will not sit next to you and text people through the entire film.

    1. Re:Cinema Wallpaper by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Hey genius, what about receiving an emergency call? Does your magical device know to turn itself off when one of my loved ones was just rushed to the hospital? Or is you seeing Transformers uninterrupted more important?

      This is an interesting theme that pops up every time this sort of discussion takes place. I sometimes get the idea that the entire populace is just shivering with dreaded anticipation - waiting for that fateful cell phone call or text message to tell them that some horrible accident or disease has descended upon family or friend. That if they are out of contact for mere moments, they will live the rest of their lives in anguish because they failed to rush to someone's deathbed for the final conversation.

      It's really OK not to be in touch with everyone 24x7. We are not Borg just yet.

      Turn the damn things off and enjoy life.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:Cinema Wallpaper by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Sometimes I wonder how people survived without being reachable 24/7. Seriously, I am old enough to remember those times.

      At the danger of sounding harsh, but what do you expect to do if your loved one is being rushed to the hospital? Stay and enjoy the movie (without knowing it, or the enjoy part is over). You can't do jack there anyway except standing in the way of the docs trying to save him/her.

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  3. Just what we al needed by SuperKendall · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A way to make cell phone signals even *worse* indoors.

    No Thanks!

    Don't mind a bit if movie theaters heap several layers on the ceiling, walls, and seats though. I'll help put 'em up.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley