Activists are responding to expanded U.S. drone strikes with a new market that provides practical fashion for protection from thermal imaging — a line that not only is effective in combatting the drone culture, but also makes a political point.
Earlier this month, the fashion world was exposed to the newest product on the market — the “anti-drone hoodie,” designed to protect the wearer from thermal imaging technology used by drone technology to detect human presence and activity.
At a London fashion show, the hoodie gained widespread attention, not only for its metallic fabric and futuristic design, but also for the message it sends.
Designer Adam Harvey acknowledges that not everything within his market is concerned about being targeted by drones, but claims it raises awareness and presents a solution to the problem that plagues many.
“I wouldn’t say many people have a problem being imaged by drones yet,” Harvey told The Guardian. “But it imagines that this is a problem and then presents a functional solution.”
By 2030, it’s estimated there will be 30,000 drones flying in U.S. skies, many equipped with surveillance capabilities. While concerns have been raised citing the threats posed to the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure and the Fifth Amendment’s protection against due process clauses, legislation is yet to be passed to protect Americans against the new wave of drone surveillance. A piece of legislation was introduced in July, yet little progress has been made.
Internationally, the U.S. drone program has killed more than 3,000 people in Pakistan since 2004, 10 percent of whom were civilians — 9 to 13 percent were labeled as “unknown,” according to the New America Foundation. Thermal imaging is key to identifying bodies on the ground in such strikes.
An industry of fashion, activism, practicality
Stylists, activists and the business community are teaming up to express opposition in a practical fashion, through the release of clothing and protective eyewear lines that guard consumers from the ever-expanding U.S. drone war.
Stealth Wear emerged on the fashion and activist scene with the intent of raising awareness and providing legitimate protection from drone surveillance program — and it’s not alone in its efforts. Two Japanese scientists emerged in January with a new anti-facial recognition glasses, created to distort features when struck with infrared light.
The glasses were created after two Tokyo professors discovered Google face recognition had the capacity to identify individuals, even while wearing sunglasses. Their concern over the lack of ability to hide from Google’s technology isn’t isolated to China — companies have already shown interest in investing in the company, which is expected to mass produce the glasses for a cheap $1, according to an RT report.
Founded in London is a global clothing outfit with a market that’s interested functionally and symbolically in standing up to authoritarianism, with a presence in the U.K., along with the United States.
“Stealth Wear continues to explore the aesthetics of privacy and the potential for fashion to challenge authoritarian surveillance,” the website states.
It recently introduced its line of clothing, which includes various hoodie models, some with full torso coverage, and others with shoulder and head protection. Other models include head scarves and burqas, as Harvey sees a market for the Muslim population regularly targeted by drone surveillance and strikes.
The material used to create the countersurveillance clothing is constructed from metallized fabric, protecting those wearing it from drones equipped with thermal imaging surveillance. It’s also designed to keep the heat out through reflection, making the garments breathable, lightweight and, in the opinion of the creators, comfortable.
CV Dazzle, a partnership with Stealth War, introduced its ‘camouflage from face detection makeup,’ which is described by the company as a “form of expressive interference that takes the form of makeup and hair styling.” The makeup was designed to essentially trick facial software recognition programs through carefully crafted makeup applications, assigned to the cheeks, along with a specifically formulated hairstyle.
The product was created among hair stylists, makeup artists and fashion designers who targeted the vulnerabilities of the facial recognition algorithm, using that knowledge to create a triangular makeup design and choppy bangs that hinders the technology’s ability to determine an individual’s identity.
“Using a custom software application that exposes the vulnerabilities of the OpenCV face detection algorithm, a hair style was made to target these areas,” the website states. “Then, makeup was added to the cheek regions to increase the asymmetry of the face. After each style-adjustment the face was rescanned and the hair and makeup was adjusted until it worked.”
Turning activism into meaningful business
The creative business ventures by activists and stylists is expanding. In a September 2012 post, CV Dazzle announced what seemed to be a promising step forward in its professional development.
“CV Dazzle is an independent project, but it won’t be for long. If you’re a coder, computer vision expert, fashion designer, hacker, makeup artist, hair stylist, 3D modeler, privacy enthusiast, activist, fashion designer or have something to contribute to the project, you should really introduce yourself,” the post stated.
Harvey sees the business of surveillance growing — and so long as that’s around, his business will have a niche to fill.
“I don’t want the next generation to grow up thinking that giving away all your personal data for free is the norm,” Harvey said in an interview with WIRED magazine. “If we’re on track for total surveillance, then good countermeasures are essential. These don’t have to be limited to fringe interest groups either. Counter surveillance could become the norm.”