Prototype EU Airplane Spy Cams Watch For Facecrime 359
I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "You can't make stuff like this up. The EU is actually testing a prototype system of cameras in airplanes to monitor passengers' facial expressions in order to detect both terrorism and 'air rage.' The Security of Aircraft in the Future European Environment (SAFEE) project used an Airbus A380 fuselage with six wide-angle cameras to watch for people running or loitering near the cockpit door, as well as a camera in the back of every seat to watch for facecrime like sweating too much, or acting nervous. But that's okay, because the system won't alert anyone until it sees a 'combination of signs,' instead of just one stray expression, or they might accidentally catch a lot of people who are afraid of flying or of being watched."
Right, (Score:5, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Right, (Score:5, Funny)
(No offense to Allah, he probably made the cute girl in the next row.)
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> like sweating too much, or acting nervous
"Hey, that guy is sweating like a pig. He may be about to leap up and attack!"
"Nah, look at his wife's hand. He's just joining the Mile High Club."
Re:Right, (Score:5, Funny)
Silly nervous kids! If they blew themselves up for the glory of Allah, he would guarantee them 72 cute virgin girls all to themselves for eternity in paradise.
Talking of which, every time Mustafa blows himself up, 72 innocent virgins die, by definition.
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Re:Right, (Score:4, Funny)
See, I have a theory -- they must be actual virgins in every respect. I imagine the sexual encounters resemble something like this:
"Your gonna do WHAT? Your gonna put that thing WHERE?"
"Ouch! Ow! That hurts! Stop that! Ow!"
"Your done already?"
See, they think it's paradise but it's actually hell ;)
Re:Right, (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Right, (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Right, (Score:4, Informative)
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Does it say anywhere that you get 72 personal virgins? I always figured you'd eventually have to share.
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Think about it. What's the definition of "virgin?"
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Re:Right, (Score:5, Interesting)
But I think it's shit for two other reasons that often don't enter into the analysis of the buerocrats:
1) It dehumanizes the passengers. I'm willing to accept some risks so that I'm not monitored by computers. I think many people feel the same.
2) It will CERTAINLY generate many false positives. Then some functionary will have to check out each false positive. That person's time will be spent tending the bad-face-machine instead of being more intelligent about watching for threats. This sort of thing ultimately makes me less safe.
And for a good example of (2) in action right now: the liquid and gel restrictions. I was flying to meet some friends for a hiking trip. I checked by big pack, but decided to carry on my daypack since it was just a small backpack like I usually carry-on. But I had previously packed my daypack with usual hiking stuff, including a 3" knife and a tube of sunscreen. When they pulled me aside at the xray, I immediately realized I had inadvertently taken my nice knife to the x-ray
Re:Right, (Score:4, Insightful)
This is crap no matter how you see it (Score:4, Interesting)
Due to cheer numbers, the false positive rate will generate more people than the positive identification rate, and that is not even counting the possible false negative rate. To give you an example let us say you have 99.99% effectiveness, that is 0.01% false positive. Out of 1 million pax, this is 100 pax. Now let us say you have a 10% false negative (guy trained to not sweat even knowing he will die) which is quite reasonable. If you have 10 terrorist out of 1 million pax, that means you will have 100 false negative, 9 correct, 1 false negative. And that is even really counted in FAVOR of this system. Knowing the number of pax transported by year, and the potential number of terrorist, I would dare say it is more like 100.000 false positive, 9 correct a false negative. In other word a UTTER money waste.
Re:Right, (Score:4, Insightful)
What are you talking about? For a second, I believed you, but I was skeptical because I flew cross-country last month. Some quick googling brought me to the official TSA security theatre site [dhs.gov].
I fly several times a quarter. Damn you for getting my hopes up.
As an aside, I was playing the "who's paying attention game" for about half a year before the security people at DIA finally noticed that I had liquids in my carry-on. Seriously... Half a year of flying (maybe 6 short/long flights) before anyone noticed. At my local airport, I've observed the x-ray monkeys chatting with the conveyor belt on and only making cursory glances at best at the monitors.
Sigh. But gee, I sure do feel safe.
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And people with a fear of flying wouldn't ever be nervous or agitated.
Wow, those long wait on the runway are going to get interesting. Will Wesley Snipes' stunt double cut his way in through the roof to take out the guy in 27B/B? I say "on the runway" because presumably that's the only useful time to identify and confront Mr Twitchy, unless the intention is to sound a little chime and ask the passengers to form a ly
white out (Score:2)
Re:white out (Score:5, Funny)
Re:white out (Score:5, Funny)
"No maam, I don't know how that tape got there, maybe someone was trying to fix something.
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no no no, that's what the jelly or jam is for. its NOT meant for consumption. eat the scone, if you must; but use the jam for its true intended purpose.
How these security cams will actually be used (Score:5, Insightful)
One of my all-time favorite "caught in the act" via webcam was Duncan Grisby using the opensource motion program to catch a burgler in his flat [grisby.org] - technical details [grisby.org] of his setup.
Speaking of cams, here is a nifty BirdCam of House Finches [watching-grass-grow.com] - look for baby chicks.
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For fuck sakes... (Score:2, Insightful)
Simple to beat.. (Score:4, Funny)
I'm thinking of something like that Improv group in New York City and their shenanigans.
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In other news... (Score:2)
Re:In other news... (Score:5, Insightful)
Well, unless you carefully black out the camera before you sit, they'll have a picture of your face. Since the airline knows who was sitting in a seat, they know who you are anyway. If cameras start dropping off-line, and if they're monitored in real time, don't you think someone will notice?
Do you really not think that it will be a criminal offense to tamper with the airline safety system? And, clearly, people with good intentions would never do such a thing, so they'll presume you had bad intentions from the start.
I simply can't believe that they'd neither catch your nor fail to charge you with something. I'm not in favor of being on camera while in flight (I think it's an appalling idea), but I don't imagine the powers that be will react nicely to people mucking about with their security toys.
People seriously pondering something like this should accept the fact that their principled stand might find themselves in some trouble.
Cheers
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My boarding would look like this:
If 1/2 of every flight began doing this, you can bet they'd ch
Re:In other news... (Score:4, Insightful)
For starters, I can't imagine you could get half of the people on an A380 to stir up that kind of shit. It's a big plane, and most people aren't that politically concerned.
I have no idea if you can easily request to be let off the plane or not. There are very strict rules to ensure that you can't have checked baggage that flies when you don't. They could conceivably have to empty the cargo hold to find your bag. If you kick up too big of a stink, well, disruptive passengers get arrested and can get fined for flight disruptions.
Activism is good. I'm sure someone will do the kinds of things you're suggesting -- I'm just saying, once you start messing about in airports/planes, you enter into a whole new level of ways to get into trouble.
Don't undertake such acts without seriously thinking if that is the best way to achieve your point and not end up in some serious legal troubles. The consequences could be well beyond what you're prepared to deal with.
Cheers
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This is the problem. They force all manner of bullshit on us and set up laws to make it illegal to have a low tolerance to their bullshit. Then, the rest of the sheep who don't even notice that there's a problem enforce your punishment. It sucks. I just cannot get across how much it sucks. All of it.
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Don't Fly.
Flying is noisy, uncomfortable, irritating, you get overcharged, patronised, lied to and sometimes they lose your luggage. you get delayed, people try to sell you lottery tickets and alcohol (on a plane ffs). The food is inedible. the seating is awkward and has no legroom.
Plus it fucks up the environment.
Sleeper Trains FTW.
Hang a little passport photo in front of it... (Score:2)
Seriously though, I get the feeling this is just research, not a real plan (though the "cameras in the isles" is perfectly believable...)
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some 200+ years ago, some yanks threw some tea into the water. I think they caught hell for it, too. but in the long run, everyone was better off.
some indian guy, in our century, also did something disobedient. I seem to remember its outcome was positive even though individuals did catch some hell for it, in the short run.
is our freedom to NOT be watched every damned min
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I'm not saying do nothing. I'm saying pick your venue and what you do.
Getting yourself arrested and kicking up a stink might help them say "See, the system is working, we found a crazy person already who had planned to disrupt the flight".
There's a huge gap between doing nothing, and doing something stupid which won't actually help what you're trying to do.
Cheers
Like flying much? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Like flying much? (Score:5, Funny)
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the fragmentation and out-of-order packet delivery is a REAL BITCH, I'll have to tell you.
parts of my left arm and my right big toe are still not here yet. harumph!
no more internets-based travel for me. no more.
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Being watched is good for you (Score:5, Insightful)
The Panopticon is your friend (Score:2)
Indeed. For the children's sake alone, I think it's best that I compile the list of some helpful tips to best aid all good citizens in this important time of transition from the law
Typo (Score:2)
I forgot to capitalize "Homeland" in my third tip. This was truly a mistake, and I apologize to any who were offended. I have already self-reported this infraction of Emergency Order 158-F but if anyone else feels compelled to also report this, I understand.
-Grym
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just like wallstreet, the 'security' has to keep increasing or the 'investors' get edgy.
have you seen security theater go DOWN at all? I haven't. I've only seen rights go away, not any of them come back.
its slow-cooking of the frog (or lobster) but its also despairation since there's little they have NOT already done 'for show'.
Huh? (Score:2)
How does it deal with people who are upset at being watched and have to pee? (there's usually a bathroom up by the cockpit)
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Yes, you should just pee in your seat. That'll learn 'em.
Cheers
Two questions (Score:5, Insightful)
2. If it detects a terrorist attack, what can anyone do about it while the plane is in the air?
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1. How much does all of this equipment weigh?
Probably not too much, but they could always use it as an excuse to lower the amount of luggage one may take on a flight.
2. If it detects a terrorist attack, what can anyone do about it while the plane is in the air?
Most terrorist attacks involve people doing something, so if someone looks suspicious you can tie the suspect up and search (and hopefully defuse) his/her belongings. In an extreme case where they find a ticking time bomb with multi-colored wires to cut, (where did that cliche come from, anyway?) a broken vial of some toxin or bio-weapon, or anything else that requires professional
thought crime (Score:2, Funny)
I bet it even works 5-10% of the time.
result (Score:2)
air rage (Score:5, Insightful)
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This happens to you on a regular basis?
What the heck are you saying to the nice TSA folks?
Re:air rage (Score:4, Insightful)
I just wish the 'nice tsa folks' would go back to their old jobs. they were certainly skilled enough to inquire if I needed any fries with my order and I was happy with their overall service. why did we need to change that?
You're kidding, right? (Score:3, Insightful)
Better hope you're not susceptible to airsickness...or overly concerned about making your connecting flight...or mildly allergic to the airline peanuts...or worried that Big Brother might just single you out for having the wrong hair/skin color, or for "suspect behavior", and make an example of you, with no chance of appeal or redress...
I'm so glad my profession does not require large amounts of air travel...I would have to get another job.
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Re:You're kidding, right? (Score:4, Insightful)
God help you if you are a nervous, fat, hyperactive kid who has to use the bathroom.
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I can see it now... (Score:2, Funny)
can't cover the lens.. (Score:2)
Ruh-roh... (Score:2)
I better not read /. while I'm on the plane, then. Wouldn't want them thinking that my facial expression due to some troll posting idiot comments was really me wanting to bring the whole show down!
Seriously... the last time I took a reasonably long flight (4 hours) I had a pretty lasting scowl on my face the entire flight. Why? I was trying to fix a bug in a piece of software I was working on and it had to be resolved before I met the client I was visiting. Sounds like terrorist motives to me!
Nose Pickers (Score:5, Funny)
Have you taken your happy pills? (Score:2)
Failure to be happy is treason. Treason is punishable by summary execution.
The Computer says so, and the Computer is your friend.
=Smidge=
The more... (Score:2)
Call the A-Team! (Score:3, Funny)
...and move all air travel over to the Mr T model: dope the passengers senseless at the airport, pack the unconscious bodies in like sides of meat and wake 'em up at the destination airport.
Oh, wait - you wouldn't be able to sell them duty free & Skymall would go out of business. Darn.
Ok! (Score:5, Insightful)
Yay (Score:2)
Time to save the bail money (Score:2)
This is gonna be awesome (Score:2)
I hate commercial flights (Score:5, Funny)
I even have some time logged behind the stick of a DASH-8 that my dad snuck me in to ferry between Newport News and Norfolk airports one time when I was 13 (only crew members on board, no "passengers").
Its not that I don't like flying. However, I **HATE** to fly commercially. The seats are uncomfortable, the air is stale, babies scream, people cough and sneeze, etc.
I always look pissed off on airlines and in airports, because I usually am. Of course, most of the flights I've taken in the past were as a non-rev and the crew knew my dad, so I was nice to them and they were nice to me, too.
Frankly, I think the people who **DON'T** look like they're about to kill someone are the ones you need to watch out for. There is probably something wrong with them as they clearly enjoy pain and discomfort.
solution (Score:2)
An Attempt at Simile... (Score:2)
Do terrorists, even specific types of terrorists, have some sort of uniform, identifiable facial expression right before they attack? I imagine some would be enraged, some would be peaceful, some would be resolute, and some might even be happy.
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Mile high club (Score:2)
Pretty easy to see what's happened here... (Score:2)
2. They tell the airlines they have to watch the passengers better.
3. Turns out you need actual people for this, who may or may not even be able to spot that casually.
4. ??? aka Technology fixes everything!
5. PROFIT (I guess some company will earn a good sum developing this)
Self learning? (Score:2)
What face am I making now? (Score:2)
I suggest a more radical approach (Score:2)
I'd really feel safe then. (sarcasm)
Just send the women?... (Score:2, Insightful)
It's why I don't fly anymore (Score:4, Insightful)
Word up: bring a tiny bit of modelling clay in your pocket, and then when you sit down, put it on top of the camera lens.
Or just sit there and pick your nose for THE ENTIRE FLIGHT.
RS
Facecrime? (Score:2, Funny)
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Re:Why the obcession with aircraft? (Score:5, Insightful)
Additionally, factor in some of the tactical benefits of an assault on a plane: you automatically have mobility and hostages, which affords you some protection against police or military who might try to intervene. And if your goal is widespread death, crashing or detonating a plane is pretty surefire, compared to a comparable attack on the ground.
Of course, common sense tells us that if we make planes terrorist-proof, terrorists will just strike elsewhere. There's a diminishing marginal return on airplane security, and products like this facecrime camera are probably WAAAAY out there in terms of cost/benefit.
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So, you're a terrorist! :-)
/me ducks.
Seriously, though, someone sweating and shaking because of a cold or influenza might give a false positive. This idea is utterly crazy. Luckily, I very rarely have to fly anywhere, and I only do because it's cheaper and faster than taking the car or the train (got to love UK transport). It's bad enough having to show my passport and take off my shoes to fly from Luton to Aberdeen, but this is insane.
I'll be videoconferencing for my family holidays I think.
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I'm planning on opening a kiosk near the airport where I will sell translucent full face masks emblazoned with the slogan
Matching t-shirts also available.
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Maybe each seat could have a built-in toilet?
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You mean like Mexicans?
American Indians?
Indians (from India)?
American Africans?
I personally think they'll use this against whomever they want to target, and use these cameras as justification for even more monitoring.
Want to stop drunks from boarding your plane? Check the "[X] Detect inebriated passengers" checkbox on the user interface.
Want to stop seat hogs? Check the "[X] Detect overweight seat hogs" checkbox on the user i
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