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Posts Tagged ‘Privacy’

Researchers release free AI-powered Fawkes image privacy tool for ‘cloaking’ faces

13 Aug

Researchers with the University of Chicago’s SAND Lab have detailed the development of a new tool called Fawkes that subtly alters images in a way that makes them unusable for facial recognition. The tool comes amid growing concerns about privacy and an editorial detailing the secret scraping of billions of online images to create facial recognition models.

Put simply, Fawkes is a cloaking tool that modifies images in ways imperceptible to the human eye. The idea is that anyone can download the tool, which has been made publicly available, to first cloak their images before posting them online. The name was inspired by Guy Fawkes, the mask of whom was popularized by the movie V for Vendetta.

The Fawkes algorithm doesn’t prevent a facial recognition algorithm from analyzing a face in a digital image — instead, it teaches the algorithm a ‘highly distorted version’ of what that person’s face looks like without triggering errors; it cannot, the researchers say, be ‘easily detected’ by the machines, either.

By feeding the algorithm these cloaked images, it subtly disrupts the machine’s attempt to learn that person’s face, making it less capable of identifying them when presented with uncloaked imagery. The researchers claim their cloaking algorithm is ‘100% effective’ against top-tier facial recognition models, including Amazon Rekognition and Microsoft Azure Face API.

As well, the team says their disruption algorithm has been ‘proven effective’ in many environments through extensive testing. The use of such technology would be far more subtle and difficult for authorities to prevent compared to more conventional concepts like face painting, IR-equipped glasses, distortion-causing patches or manual manipulation of one’s own images.

These conspicuous methods are known as ‘evasion attacks,’ whereas Fawkes and similar tools are referred to as ‘poison attacks.’ As the name implies, the method ‘poisons’ the data itself so that it ‘attacks’ deep learning models that attempt to utilize it, causing more widespread disruption to the overall model.

The researchers note that Fawkes is more sophisticated than a mere label attack, saying the goal of their utility is ‘to mislead rather than frustrate.’ Whereas a simple corruption of data in an image could make it possible for companies to detect and remove the images from their training model, the cloaked images imperceptibly ‘poison’ the model in a way that can’t be easily detected or removed.

As a result, the facial recognition model loses accuracy fairly quickly and its ability to detect that person in other images and real-time observation drops to a low level.

Yes, that’s McDreamy.

How does Fawkes achieve this? The researchers explain:

‘DNN models are trained to identify and extract (often hidden) features in input data and use them to perform classification. Yet their ability to identify features is easily disrupted by data poisoning attacks during model training, where small perturbations on training data with a particular label can shift the model’s view of what features uniquely identify …

But how do we determine what perturbations (we call them “cloaks”) to apply to [fictional example] Alice’s photos? An effective cloak would teach a face recognition model to associate Alice with erroneous features that are quite different from real features defining Alice. Intuitively, the more dissimilar or distinct these erroneous features are from the real Alice, the less likely the model will be able to recognize the real Alice.’

The goal is to discourage companies from scraping digital images from the Internet without permission and using them to create facial recognition models for unaware people, a huge privacy issue that has resulted in calls for stronger regulations, among other things. The researchers point specifically to the aforementioned NYT article, which details the work of a company called Clearview.ai.

According to the report, Clearview has scraped more than three billion images from a variety of online sources, including everything from financial app Venmo to obvious platforms like Facebook and less obvious ones like YouTube. The images are used to create facial recognition models for millions of people who are unaware of their inclusion in the system. The system is then sold to government agencies who can use it to identify people in videos and images.

Many experts have criticized Clearview.ai for its impact on privacy and apparent facilitation of a future in which the average person can be readily identified by anyone with the means to pay for access. Quite obviously, such tools could be used by oppressive governments to identify and target specific individuals, as well as more insidious uses like the constant surveillance of a population.

By using a method like Fawkes, individuals who possess only basic tech skills are given the ability to ‘poison’ the unauthorized facial recognition models trained specifically to recognize them. The researchers note that there are limitations to such technologies, however, making it tricky to sufficiently poison these systems.

One of these images has been cloaked using the Fawkes tool.

For example, the person may be able to cloak images they share of themselves online, but they may find it difficult to control images of themselves posted by others. Images posted by known associates like friends may make it possible for these companies to train their models, though it’s unclear whether there exists the ability to quickly located people in third-party images (for training purposes) in an automated fashion and at a mass scale.

Any entity that is able to gather enough images of the target could train a model sufficiently enough that a minority of cloaked images fed into it may be unable to substantially lower its accuracy. Individuals can attempt to mitigate this by sharing more cloaked images of themselves in identifiable ways and by taking other steps to reduce one’s uncloaked presence online, such as removing name tags from images, using ‘right to be forgotten’ laws and simply asking friends and family to refrain from sharing images of one’s self online.

Another limitation is that Fawkes — which has been made available to download for free Linux, macOS and Windows — only works on images. This means it is unable to offer cloaking for videos, which can be downloaded and parsed out into individual still frames. These frames could then be fed into a training model to help it learn to identify that person, something that becomes increasingly possible as consumer-tier camera technology offers widespread access to high-resolution and high-quality video recording capabilities.

Despite this limitation, Fawkes remains an excellent tool for the public, enabling the average person with access to a computer and the ability to click a couple of buttons to take more control over their privacy.

A full PDF of the Fawkes image-cloaking study can be found on the SAND Lab website here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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OnePlus is disabling the near-infrared ‘Color Filter’ camera on its 8Pro smartphone over privacy concerns

23 May

OnePlus has announced it’s working on an update for its OnePlus 8 Pro smartphone that will disable the 5MP near-infrared camera that was able to see through certain materials, including some clothing, when used with a ‘Photochrom’ mode in the native camera app.

The Color Filter camera onboard the 8 Pro has been known since the smartphone’s announcement back in April. However, not much was shared about the particular camera module at the time. It wasn’t until 8 Pro units started hitting the front doors of reviewers when it became clear what the 5MP near-infrared camera could see.

Last week in particular, a number of high-profile reviewers and pundits shared examples of just how much the Color Filter camera onboard the 8 Pro could reveal. Most notably, the below video, shared by YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, showed that beyond being able to see through the plastic IR shields built into numerous electronics, it could also see, at least to some degree, underneath certain clothing when stretched unusually thin.

Unsurprisingly, the see-through capability of the 8 Pro brought up privacy concerns, not unlike those that led to Sony recalling more than 700,000 ‘HandyCam’ camcorders back in 1998 when it was revealed the ‘Nightshot’ mode on its TRV 615 XR camcorders was revealing more than the general public was comfortable with.

OnePlus heard the response loud and clear and in an effort to get ahead of any further controversy, OnePlus announced, via Weibo, that it is temporarily disabling the Color Filter camera via a software update within the next week. In the post, OnePlus writes (machine-translated, edited with brackets for clarity):

‘When planning the [color] filter lens of OnePlus 8 Pro, we hope[d] to use this lens to perceive the characteristics of infrared light to provide users with a unique texture photography style effect. But recently, based on user feedback, we have found that under very specific environmental conditions, the filter lens may have a slight perspective effect on special materials at very close distances […] In order to eliminate the impact on user privacy under possible extreme circumstances and eliminate everyone’s concerns, we decided to temporarily disable the filter function through software upgrades.’

OnePlus doesn’t elaborate on how temporary this solution is or what the long-term fix will be, but it’s a start. It’s also unknown whether this will be a forced update or something optional users can opt out of to keep the near-infrared capabilities.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Instagram is rolling out new privacy features for third-party app authorizations

17 Oct

A number of third-party services allow users to link their Instagram accounts in order to access certain features, such as photo printing services that enable customers to directly order prints of their Instagram images. Going forward, Instagram is offering its users more control over these authorizations, including which services are connected and when they were authorized.

Instagram detailed the new control on its press blog this week, explaining that users can now pull up a list of third-party services that are actively authorized on one’s Instagram account by tapping Settings > Security > Apps and Websites.

The menu now displays ‘Active’ authorizations given to third-party services, including the name of the app, the date the link was authorized, direct links to the privacy policies for these linked services, and the ability to terminate the authorization by tapping a ‘Remove’ button.

Beyond that, Instagram has also launched a new authorization screen that appears in the Instagram app when third-party services request info from the user’s account. This screen shows the name of the third-party service, which profile information it is requesting, and what kind of data it wants access to. Instagram users will need to manually authorize or cancel the request.

According to Instagram, users will see these new features rolling out ‘gradually’ over the next six months.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New Pennsylvania bill will fine drone operators up to $300 for invading privacy

14 Oct

A new Pennsylvania bill, signed by Governor Tom Wolf, will impose a financial penalty for drone operators who use their drone to spy on people or otherwise endanger the physical wellbeing of someone.

As reported by Pittsburgh’s WTAE, House Bill 1346, which goes into effect 60 days after signing, says that any drone operator “who uses a drone to invade someone else’s privacy or puts someone in fear of being physically harmed” will face a fine upwards of $ 300.

“With the rise in popularity of drones with video cameras, this is a commonsense step to prevent the use of drones to invade someone’s privacy,” says Governor Wolf. “Drones should not be a tool to spy on someone in their yard or through their window.”

According to Pennsylvania Republican Jeff Pyle of Armstrong County, a sponsor of the bill, the wording used in the bill was written with the help of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In addition to the $ 300 fine, the bill also addresses the issue of using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons. Individuals who use a drone to sneak items to a prison inmate can face upwards of ten years in prison and a fine up to $ 25,000.

The statewide bill also prohibits local governments from coming up with their own drone regulations and also provides exceptions to first responders, law enforcement officials, government employees and utility companies who are using drones in an official work capacity.

This bill adds Pennsylvania to the growing list of states that have already addressed issues surrounding drone privacy and the many others who are currently working on solutions.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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French President Macron takes legal action against photographer over invasion of privacy

19 Aug
Photo: Kremlin.ru

French President Emmanuel Macron has filed a legal complaint against a photographer over allegations that he violated the presidential couple’s privacy while they were on a holiday vacation. According to UK newspaper The Telegraph, Macron and his wife were on a private holiday in France when an unnamed photographer failed to honor their request for privacy.

The photographer is accused of stalking the president and his wife during their stay in the French city of Marseille, having at times acted in ‘a risky and perilous manner’ while ignoring warnings from Macron’s security personnel to back off. None of that got him arrested, however; it was the photographer’s alleged unauthorized entrance into the couple’s private property that led to the cops being called and a legal complaint being filed.

The unnamed photographer reportedly told French newspaper VSD that he was subjected to a police search, which included having officials search his bags and gear. He complained of being treated like a criminal and being forced to remove his watch and shoelaces, and characterized the police officers’ search of him as ‘totally illegal.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI releases offline mode to calm fears over privacy and security

16 Aug
Photo by Aaron Burden

Earlier this month, drone maker DJI took a huge PR hit when the US Army abruptly stopped using the company’s drones due to ‘cyber vulnerabilities.’ The decision was revealed in a leaked memo, and DJI was left defending its privacy and security practices to a suddenly skeptical public. Today, the company takes its privacy efforts a bit further with the release of a ‘Local Data Mode’ that allows pilots to fly their DJI drones without an internet connection.

The mode was announced yesterday, and it does exactly what it sounds like: when enabled, it stops all data transfer and connectivity between DJI’s apps and the internet. It’s like incognito mode for drones.

DJI uses that internet connection to “ensure a drone has the most relevant local maps and geofencing data, latest app versions, correct radio frequency and power requirements, and other information that enhances flight safety and functionality,” but the company understands that not all customers need or want this functionality to be on all the time.

“We are creating local data mode to address the needs of our enterprise customers, including public and private organizations that are using DJI technology to perform sensitive operations around the world,” DJI Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs Brendan Schulman says in the press release. “DJI is committed to protecting the privacy of its customers’ photos, videos and flight logs. Local data mode will provide added assurances for customers with heightened data security needs.”

Despite the timing of the release, DJI has told the New York Times that the company has not been in touch with the US Army about its security concerns, and besides, this update seems to have been in the works since before the memo in question went public. Still, this ‘offline’ option feels like a win for privacy advocates and the military alike.

Local Data Mode will be available in DJI’s fleet of apps “starting in the next several weeks”—these include DJI GO, DJI GO 4, DJI XT Pro, DJI Pilot and Ground Station Pro. But be warned, due to some local regulations and/or requirements, it might not be available in all areas.

To find out more, read the full press release below:

Press Release

DJI Develops Option For Pilots To Fly Without Internet Data Transfer

New Local Data Mode Provides Enhanced Data Privacy Assurances

August 14, 2017 – DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, is developing a new local data mode that stops internet traffic to and from its flight control apps, in order to provide enhanced data privacy assurances for sensitive government and enterprise customers.

DJI’s flight control apps routinely communicate over the internet to ensure a drone has the most relevant local maps and geofencing data, latest app versions, correct radio frequency and power requirements, and other information that enhances flight safety and functionality. When a pilot enables local data mode, DJI apps will stop sending or receiving any data over the internet, giving customers enhanced assurances about the privacy of data generated during their flights.

“We are creating local data mode to address the needs of our enterprise customers, including public and private organizations that are using DJI technology to perform sensitive operations around the world,” said Brendan Schulman, DJI Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs. “DJI is committed to protecting the privacy of its customers’ photos, videos and flight logs. Local data mode will provide added assurances for customers with heightened data security needs.”

Because it blocks all internet data, use of local data mode means DJI apps will not update maps or geofencing information, will not notify pilots of newly-issued flight restrictions or software updates, and may result in other performance limitations. However, it will provide an enhanced level of data assurance for sensitive flights, such as those involving critical infrastructure, commercial trade secrets, governmental functions or other similar operations.

“We are pleased about how rapidly DJI’s customer base has expanded from hobbyists and personal drone pilots to include professional, commercial, government and educational users,” said Jan Gasparic, DJI head of enterprise partnership. “As more of these customers have asked for additional assurances about how their data is handled, DJI has moved to address their needs by developing local data mode to provide enhanced data management options for customers who want to use them.”

DJI recognizes the importance of data privacy to its customers. DJI does not collect or have access to user flight logs, photos or videos unless the user chooses to share those by syncing flight logs with DJI servers, uploading photos or videos to DJI’s SkyPixel website, or physically delivering the drone to DJI for service.

DJI publicly committed to protecting its customers’ data privacy in April 2016. In a March 2017 white paper, DJI became the first major drone manufacturer to advocate for protecting the privacy of drone users as the United States and European governments develop regulations to monitor drone flights. No other civilian drone manufacturer there has been as vocal as DJI in protecting the operational and data privacy interests of drone users.

“Local data mode will allow customers to get the most out of their DJI flight control apps while providing added assurance that critical data is not inadvertently transmitted over the internet,” Schulman said. “We are pleased to be able to develop local data mode as part of our drive to serve our customers’ needs as well as advocate for their interests.”

Local data mode has been in development for several months and will be included in future versions of DJI apps, starting in the next several weeks. DJI’s apps include DJI GO, DJI GO 4, DJI XT Pro, DJI Pilot and Ground Station Pro, which run on smartphones and tablets that control the drone or connect to the drone’s remote control unit. The local data mode feature may not be available in locations where an internet connection is required or highly advisable due to local regulations or requirements.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Made for Introverts: 13 Furniture Designs & Wearables That Prioritize Privacy

29 Dec

[ By SA Rogers in Design & Furniture & Decor. ]

Nothing says ‘don’t talk to me’ like a soundproof helmet, a cocoon-shaped desk or a chair that basically swallows you when you want to disappear. Designed for introverts and people who just want some dang peace and quiet in a noisy open-plan office, these furniture designs and wearables offer hiding places for the busiest and least private of environments, like airplanes, coffee shops, hostels and even city sidewalks.

Tunnel Chair & Bed by Noga Berman

privacy-designs-tunnel-1

privacy-designs-tunnel-2

Can you find privacy within existing furniture? Designer Noga Berman has come up with a way to incorporate ‘hiding places’ into relatively ordinary-looking functional furniture pieces, including a chair and a sofa. Wrapping elastic bands around the frames creates ‘tunnels’ within the furniture that you can hide part or all of your body inside.

Brody Desk by Steelcase

privacy-designs-brody-1

privacy-designs-brody-2

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This desk by workplace furniture manufacturer Steelcase feels enclosed yet open at the same time, with a design that offers some privacy and minimizes distractions without cutting you off from the entire office. It might look like tight quarters in there – and it is – but the design is intended as a sort of break from your regular desk, for periods of time when intense focus is required.

Privacy Pop Bed Tent

privacy-designs-bed-tent

privacy-pop-bed-tent-1

Worried about privacy while traveling, or stuck in a dorm room with several roommates? The ‘Privacy Pop’ bed tent may not offer much in the looks department, but it’s highly practical, offering a room-with-a-room that sets up in minutes and blocks out light.

Desk Chair Hoodies by Bernotat & Co

privacy-designs-desk-chair-hoodie

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‘Chair Wear’ is a series of textile chair add-ons by Bernotat & Co that bring a little extra functionality, like pockets, without requiring an additional piece of furniture. The ‘Hoodini’ has an oversized hood that you can put over your head while reading or talking on the phone.

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Made For Introverts 13 Furniture Designs Wearables That Prioritize Privacy

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[ By SA Rogers in Design & Furniture & Decor. ]

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Floatel: Modular Floating Hotel Rooms Provide Portable Privacy

20 Jul

[ By WebUrbanist in Boutique & Art Hotels & Travel. ]

floating hotel main structure

Combining centralized shared spaces like a conventional hotel and the mobility of a catamaran, this award-winning hybrid combines elements of community and seclusion on the water.

floating hotel design

Each individual unit comes with a standard living room, kitchen, bathroom and sleeping loft as well as deck space and a driving area for taking your space around a lake or sea. Meanwhile, the lobby structure bridges the gap between land and water and provides reception, restaurant, event and cafe spaces. Design themes also create a connection between the modules and the whole, including wood slats and white surfaces.

floating hotel room interior

floating hotel living deck

The rear-facing deck provides space for sunbathing and fishing, while also framing uninterrupted views of nature. Side and front windows can be closed off for privacy, or opened when venturing out on the open water with no nosy neighbors around to sneak peaks inside.

floating hotel open water

Designed by Salt & Water, the approach won a 2015 Millennium Yacht Design Awards for innovatively integrating architectural and nautical systems to create a unique experience for guests. Like the Botel, this remains a conceptual design for now, but clearly something is in the water since firms keep coming back to this novel combination of ideas.

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[ By WebUrbanist in Boutique & Art Hotels & Travel. ]

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Antisocial Seating: 14 Distraction-Cutting Privacy Chairs

08 May

[ By Steph in Design & Furniture & Decor. ]

Privacy Chairs Main
Sometimes you wish the whole loud, distracting, eavesdropping world would just go away, especially when you’re trying to work on your computer or take a private phone call. These clever chair designs will make you feel like it really has with soundproofing elements, hoods and booth-like shields that provide a sense of peace and privacy even if you’re stuck in a busy airport, office or hotel lobby.

Womb-Like Hush Seating

Privacy Chairs Hush 2
Privacy Chairs Hush 1

Hide yourself in a cocoon of wool to work on your laptop or take a little time to yourself. Designer Freyja Sewell’s HUSH looks like an incredibly cozy space, envisioned for busy hotels, airports, offices and libraries.

Objet-O Chair

Privacy Chair Objet O

A massive paper lantern fits onto the back of a chair to offer light and privacy in one, in this fun idea by Korean designer Song Seung-Yong.

Windowseat Lounge

Windowseat Lounge 2
Privacy Chairs Windowseat 1

This sleek, colorful chair features a built-in canopy that shields the user from distractions while still allowing you to lean back and peek around it.

‘Firstcall’ Chair Phone

Firstcall Chair Phone

Need to take a phone call, but there’s no private place to go? Take a seat in the ‘Firstcall’ chair by Dutch designer Ruud van der Wier. Shaped like a classic phone, the padded fabric material of the chair shields the user’s head to mute background noise.

Peekaboo Cantilevered Wing Chair

Privacy Chair Peekaboo

The top of the Peekaboo cantilevered wing chair flips down to provide total sound-absorbing privacy whether you want to make a private call, take a nap or just have a few moments of quiet time. Made of molded formfelt, it features a plexiglass panel in the hood so you can still see around you while inside.

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Antisocial Seating 14 Distraction Cutting Privacy Chairs

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[MODIFIED] IrfanView – Disable Most Recently Used Files and Folders for Privacy

17 Apr

Increase your privacy by making IrfanView forget the most recently accessed files and folders.

For convenience, IrfanView offers an “Open Recent files” option in its “File” menu, providing you quick access to files you have opened lately. Also, when opening and saving files, IrfanView shows the most recently-access folders as well as commonly-accessed areas such as your Desktop, My Pictures, Favorites, etc.

While these features may be useful if you frequently modify the same files, or images in a particular file location, having this information readily available may violate your privacy if multiple people share the same machine. Thus, you can stop IrfanView from showing this information if desired:…

Read more at MalekTips.
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