Surveillance technology faces privacy challenges and evasion tactics

Developments in surveillance technology have sparked both privacy concerns and new countermeasures. Cybersecurity enthusiast Bill Swearingen has developed 'noRecognition,' a system using computer-generated patterns designed to evade algorithmic detection. After 31 million tests, Swearingen claims these patterns, when applied to clothing or objects, can prevent surveillance cameras and license plate readers from identifying people or vehicles by distorting the camera's ability to trigger detection alerts.

Simultaneously, the use of automated license plate readers by Flock Safety has come under scrutiny in Illinois. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias raised concerns that the company allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) access to camera data in violation of state law. Following an investigation into 12 law enforcement agencies, it was reported that Flock had not implemented sufficient safeguards regarding data sharing. Consequently, Giannoulias ordered the blocking of federal agency access to these cameras in Illinois, leading Flock Safety to suspend pilot programs with federal agencies across the United States.