Now You See Me, Now You Don’t

Security cameras have become a ubiquitous presence in our modern world, with an estimated one billion cameras currently in use worldwide. From businesses to homes to public spaces, these cameras are increasingly seen as a crucial tool in the fight against crime and terrorism.

Studies have shown that the presence of cameras can significantly reduce the incidence of theft, vandalism, and other forms of criminal activity. In addition, cameras can help law enforcement identify and prosecute criminals, as well as provide valuable evidence in court. For businesses and homeowners, cameras can also provide peace of mind by allowing them to monitor their property remotely and detect potential threats before they become a problem.

However, there are also concerns about the misuse of security cameras. In countries with authoritarian regimes, cameras can be used to monitor and control the activities of citizens, stifling dissent and limiting freedom of expression. Even in democracies, there are concerns about privacy violations, as cameras can capture sensitive information about individuals without their knowledge or consent. In addition, there is the risk that cameras can be hacked or used for malicious purposes, such as spying or blackmail.

Given these concerns, it is important to strike a balance between the benefits of security cameras and the potential risks of their misuse. Unfortunately, when dealing with bad actors, there is no way to ensure that cameras are installed and used in a transparent and accountable manner, with clear guidelines and protocols for their operation. As such, people need a way to protect their own privacy.

Creative technologist Mac Pierce has recently described how he built what he calls The Camera-Shy Hoodie. Embedded within the upper chest, shoulders, and upper back region of this hoodie are a number of high-powered infrared LED lights. These LEDs operate at the same wavelength of light frequently used by security cameras to illuminate an area and provide night vision capabilities. The LEDs are also programmed to strobe at a specific rate which causes their light to overexpose the face of the wearer, and effectively render them unrecognizable by the camera.

Since infrared light is invisible to the human eye, wearing The Camera-Shy Hoodie will not draw the attention of any onlookers. The blinding light is only apparent to cameras. It is important to note that this technique will only work with infrared-sensitive cameras. When there is sufficient ambient light, many security cameras will put an infrared filter in place, which would render the hoodie incapable of protecting the wearer’s identity.

Pierce has made the bill of materials, design files, reference photos, and a detailed assembly guide available for anyone to download from his website. The assembly is relatively simple, so anyone that is comfortable programming an Arduino to make an LED blink should be able to make their way through the instructions without too much trouble.

If you do not want to source all of the components on your own, Pierce also plans to make kits available with everything that one would need to build their own The Camera-Shy Hoodie. Be sure to check out his website for all of the details. If you want a lightweight solution, you could also build your own Freedom Shield, which is a similar device built into a hat and sunglasses.