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Transparency Grenade Collects and Leaks Sensitive Data
Zothecula writes "If you thought WikiLeaks was a disruptive idea, the transparency grenade is going to blow you away. This tiny bit of hardware hidden under the shell shaped like a classic Soviet F1 hand grenade allows you to leak information from anywhere just by pulling a pin. The device is essentially a small computer with a powerful wireless antenna and a microphone. Following 'detonation,' the grenade intercepts local network traffic and captures audio data, then makes the information immediately available online."
To actually be useful, it should like like a cell phone, a pad of post-it notes, a small notebook, a random piece of garbage like a crumpled up paper or something similarly inconspicuous. Making it look like a grenade is just dumb.
It's not marketing, like you'd think. If you RTFA...
"The Transparency Grenade was created in January 2012 by Julian Oliver for the Studio Weise7 exhibition at Labor 8, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, curated by Transmediale 2012 Director, Kristoffer Gansing."
And on their webpage you get more information...
"The Studio Weise7 exhibition brings together a series of works that frame a volatile interrogation of our increased dependence on machines, computer networks, databases and digital automation. The works consist of curious devices, software and circuitry, each representing a unique, critical engagement with the challenges of our "techno-political condition". In doing so, they serve as triggers for discourse, code for study and tools for deployment."
So this device is them attempting to market an idea, and their art, rather than a product.
This is my footer. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
The powerful already have all the tools they need to eliminate your privacy. This is a tool for us to eliminate their privacy.
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
It will cause you to quite literally be blown away by law enforcement when they see you holding what appears to be a grenade.
Joking aside, I fail to see how this is supposed to be comparable to wikileaks. While wikileaks is undeniably intended to help whistleblowers, this is a tool suitable for multiple (not not necessarily ethical) purposes. Mind, I don't see too many corporate espionage agents actually using this as is...
Holy shit, I've finally seen it, the WORST IDEA ON THE INTERNET.
Because when you need to sneak in electronics to discreetly leak something and get away, there's nothing better to hide your tools in than a grenade. Nope, a suspicious guard might confiscate your fake MP3 player or cell phone - better hide it in a grenade!
Soon to be joined by the fire extinguisher flamethrower and handgun checkbook!
Ahh, so because it's shaped like a grenade it constitutes art
No, it's art because it was made by hand, there's only one of them, and it's on display at a fucking art exhibition.
Art is a funny thing. Twenty foot tall pieces of canvas with a single black line down the middle have sold for thousands of dollars. I think the people who would buy such a thing are idiots, but no more so than you given your inability to even grasp the concept to begin with.