Japan’s ‘Privacy Visor’ Offers Internet Privacy And Incessant Giggles

Japan’s ‘Privacy Visor’ Offers Internet Privacy And Incessant Giggles

When you step outside, anyone can snap your photo. And said photo could spread all over cyberspace — Twitter, Facebook, you name it. Heck, it could even end up here! Maybe you don’t want that. Maybe you want privacy. Maybe you don’t mind looking silly.

Japan’s National Institute of Informatics is working on a “privacy visor”. The first version, which debuted late last year, featured LED lights. The institute conceded that wearing it might draw more attention. (Um, yeah?) Its latest version is not powered by electricity, but rather, by white dots.

The visor’s white dots make it difficult for the face to be picked up by the facial recognition software in digital cameras and smartphones.

Japan’s ‘Privacy Visor’ Offers Internet Privacy And Incessant Giggles

Oddly, the TV Tokyo camera was able to capture the face of its reporting as she wore the glasses out in public.

The cameras TV Tokyo uses are certainly more advanced than what’s on your typical digital camera or phone. But…these privacy glasses look stupid!

Japan’s ‘Privacy Visor’ Offers Internet Privacy And Incessant Giggles

The oddest thing is that institute added that the amount of shading the privacy visor provides is basically what you get from sunglasses — so, in that regard, simply uses the privacy visor won’t make it easier to commit crimes.

Japan’s ‘Privacy Visor’ Offers Internet Privacy And Incessant Giggles

So the institute invented crappy looking sunglasses without the UV protection and any hint of style or good taste? Thanks for that!

プライバシー保護メガネ [TV Tokyo]

Photos: Hayabusa


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