For our Ubicomp group tomorrow, we will be discussing the paper entitled “Preventing Camera Recording by Designing a Capture-Resistant Environment” from Ubicomp 2005. Slides are available here and well as a video.

Abstract
With the ubiquity of camera phones, it is now possible to capture digital still and moving images anywhere, raising a legitimate concern for many organizations and individuals. Although legal and social boundaries can curb the capture of sensitive information, it sometimes is neither practical nor desirable to follow the option of confiscating the capture device from an individual. We present the design and proof of concept implementation of a capture-resistant environment that prevents the recording of still and moving images without requiring any cooperation on the part of the capturing device or its operator. Our solution involves a tracking system that uses computer vision for locating any number of retro-reflective CCD or CMOS camera sensors in a protected area. A pulsing light is then directed at the lens, distorting any imagery the camera records. Although the directed light interferes with the camera’s operation, it can be designed to minimally impact the sight of other humans in the environment.

When I read this paper I thought of how this is specialised technology to impact certain people that pose a threat to the environment. In this case, people that have camera phones, similar to technologies that block mobile phone usage or the use of a special frequency to ward off teenagers.

After speaking with a colleague about this, she spoke about how there could be advantages for companies using this technology such as for the protection of intellectual property or by artists to protect their artwork becoming prints that are sold without authorisation.

Relevance: Does the benefit of such a system negate potential health risks? Who decides what I can or cannot do with my camera phone in a public space?

Technorati tags: , ,