360º Video Surveillance: Cool... on an iPhone 4, VERY COOL!

Watch the video first.
Use your mouse to move what you see to the left or right.

"The GoPano micro is a lens for the iPhone 4 to make 360º panoramic videos! Just snap the lens to your iPhone 4 and press record to make cool interactive 360º videos. Use it to record all the action of your favorite sport, record your next meeting in 360º or just as a fun toy for the summer.

The GoPano micro will record everything around you simultaneously. You can go back to the recorded video and choose to view any perspective, any angle at any point in time. The GoPano app allows you to upload your 360º video onto our web platform and share 360º videos with your friends. You can watch 360º videos uploaded by others in the app or on the web site. (the GoPano lens records everything simultaneously and not just the scene on the screen, you can pan & zoom in/out anywhere in your recorded video)."

Now, imagine the uses for this in the security field.

• Surveillance - Set it and forget it.

• Technical Surveillance (TS) - Comparison of room items and locations upon completion of installations.

• Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) - Comparison of room items and locations upon re-inspection.

• Crime scene documentation.

• Event management documentation.

You get the idea and I am sure you can come up with more.

Problem... You can't buy a GoPano for your iPhone 4, yet. But you can help this project get off the ground for a $50. contribution and get one free once they are manufactured. (more)

Another Surveillance Concern - SMS Intercept Via CCTV

Australia - Surveillance cameras used during last year's Rugby World Cup could zoom in on individual spectators and camera operators could read their text messages, a privacy forum has heard... Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff says reading someone's text messages in public could cause concern, but the legitimacy of the action could depend on what it was used for. (more)

The Atlas of Surveillance

Documenting Police Tech in Our Communities. 

Explore 5,300 datapoints in the U.S. collected by hundreds of researchers.

TOGGLE the Legend to reveal how each technology is spreading. ZOOM into any region to see the technologies in greater detail. If an area has no markers, it means it hasn't been researched yet.

Click to enlarge. Go to website to explore. Wired article here.

When Business Espionage Doesn't Work the Next Step is Sabotage

Real News or Business Sabotage? You decide...

The following "news story" was found in Yahoo News. It is filled with anonymous quotes, no proof, no substance, no follow-up with the side being attacked.

“Apple’s new operating system is making me nauseous and giving me a headache - just like when you try to read in the car,” says one user.

Others complain of “vertigo” when apps “zoom” in and out - and say that using iOS 7 devices has left them feeling ill for days.

Apple’s new iOS 7 operating system has been downloaded 200 million times - and some users are complaining that the animations make them seasick - or worse. (more)

To our clients... In addition to your TSCM bug sweeps and our other business espionage reductions, keep an eye out for business sabotage. Document it. Go after it.

Shocks from down under...

Darwin, Australia - An internal police investigation has been launched after a security camera was allegedly used to "zoom in on the rear of a lady" in Darwin's CBD. CCTV equipment at the Darwin police station has been disabled until software is installed to keep a record of the officer controlling the equipment at the time. (more)

NSW, Australia - Australia Post has been accused of secretly monitoring Sydney postal workers using computerised street-side red letter boxes in breach of NSW surveillance laws. But the postal service says it is entitled to spy on its staff because it is not subject to state laws. (more)

HD Spycam Truly Crushes Employee Morale

via Wired...
The PR company's email begins thus: "You've never seen a camera like this." And it's true. The Digital Window from Scallop Imaging is a rather neat mix of hack and paranoia, a device cobbled together from five cellphone camera lenses, an Ethernet powered box and software which stitches the whole lot together for a seven megapixel, 15 frames per second, 180º view.

To further increase employee paranoia, you'll never know when the camera is looking at you. Because of the 180º view and high-definition, a digital zoom combined with digital pan mean the the cameras never move when looking around. (more) (more) (manufacturer)

Security Director Alert: Tiny GPS Tracker with Real-Time Reporting

Keep track of top executives as they travel. Bonus: SOS button. 

TrackingTheWorld's newest portable real-time GPS tracking device is the WorldTracker Enduro Pro... offers improved GPS sensitivity, and up to 60 day battery life.

Throughout our (GPS Magazine) testing, Enduro Pro's performance was outstanding. The device provided reliable real-time tracking, even in challenging environments, and in areas of marginal cellular coverage.

The Bottom Line
• Exceptional accuracy and battery life
• Small enough to be carried by a child, powerful enough to be used by law enforcement
• Works in extreme weather conditions (-40° to 185°F), IPX-5 Water Resistant
• GeoFencing

• Speed reporting

• SOS / Panic button
• Priced under $200, plus monthly service

Once fully charged, the Enduro Pro can last up to 60 days on a single charge (that estimate is based on updates every 2 hours, and little motion. When set to update more frequently, such as every 2 minutes, battery life drops to a still-impressive 2 weeks on average). 

Location Reports

Reports are accessed via TrackingTheWorld.com. Maps can be viewed as Road view, Aerial view, or Hybrid (Road & Aerial). The map can be zoomed in or out, and panned by dragging the mouse around or using the pan/zoom control in the upper-left corner of the screen.

Tabs along the right side of the map screen allow you to view historical location data for previous days/months, as well as access driving reports, configure GeoFence alerts, and set how frequently Enduro Pro should send location updates (less frequent updates = longer battery life).

Click to enlarge.

The breadcrumbing feature allows you to see where the device has been throughout a given day, as well as the direction of travel and speed the device was traveling. (more)

SpyCam Story #510 - Action Camo Cam

Completely Covert Camouflage Micro DVR Camera For Stakeouts
At Only 3 Inches, Mount It Anywhere For Covert Surveillance
- Completely Weatherproof w/ Built-In DVR
- 30 FPS Full Screen Video & Audio
- SD Card / Built-In LCD Screen
- 2x Zoom / Battery Powered
- Review Video On Any Computer - PC Or MAC
- Capture Up To 100 Minutes Of Recorded Video

Designed For Portability And Outdoor Use - Even Underwater
The Little Titan Camouflage DVR Camera is the only covert camera designed specifically for portability, outdoor use, and more. Perfect for sting operations, suspect tracking, and all your day-to-day operations on-the-move, this camera records crystal clear 30 fps full screen video as well as audio.

Battery life of 1 to 4 hours and the ability to store an incredible 100 minutes of video. Video stores directly to a SD card and can be reviewed on any PC, monitor, or directly on the device itself using the built-in LCD screen. $199.95 (more) (video)
Why do we mention it?
So you know what you're up against.

FutureWatch - Video Surveillance Predictions

It is really not too hard to predict the future of CCTV. 

The future is here...

2010 - The end of the "Video Wall"

"Clean and green," is coming to the security center Situational Awareness Center. Video analytics is the brain in the box catalyst of change. 

One human. One screen. One unblinking computer, watching every video feed; analyzing everything it sees and popping it onto the "Situational Awareness Officer's" screen (or internal projection node) only when deemed necessary.

Video analytics is smart. Facial recognition with file linking, movement interpretation, psychological action profiling, letter/number/bar code reading, RFID tag sensor incorporation, intelligent threat assessment, people/vehicle counting, congestion/loitering assessment, and more.

Not impressed yet?
Look at it from management's point of view...
• Lower hardware investment.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• Lower electric bill.
• Lower payroll.
(more)

Scalable Situational Awareness

The Port of Brisbane is turning itself into a 3D video game. Brian Lovell, project surveillance leader, explains...

"You could imagine a single desktop interface that gives you all the information you need at a port, like the Port of Brisbane," he said. "The reason to go single desktop is that is the modern trend. It also means you can provide that information to emergency responders so if there is an incident at the Port of Brisbane you can provide not just the video feed but all the context information to emergency providers like the police, etc.

"What we do is have all the video feeds, which are placed [superimposed] on a 3D texture map surface – sort of like a game of Doom or a video game environment. The beauty of that is you don't need to know the camera numbers or where they are positioned because it is implicit in the display. So if you go, for example, to the oil bunkering facility on the map you just scroll along with your mouse and then zoom in and if there is any video camera present you can see, live, what is happening at that spot. It is a little like Google Street View except when you go in you are seeing a live camera feed." (more)

Slip the Mouse a Mickey

We are rapidly approaching 3D video... no, I am not talking about the kind with the goofy red/green glasses. This 3D will be extremely useful to the person monitoring the "Situational Awareness Center" of the future. No mouse in this person's hand. A tilt of the head will move them around their semi-virtual world. Apple's latest patent clued me in...

"An electronic device for displaying three-dimensional objects, comprising control circuitry, a display and a sensing mechanism, the control circuitry operative to:direct the display to display a three-dimensional object;direct the sensing mechanism to detect the current position of the user; transform the object to appear to be viewed from the detected current position; anddirect the display to display the transformed object."  (this worthwhile video will give you the idea)

Some of these things are already here and the really cool stuff is coming soon. ~Kevin

What Do These 3 Spy Tools Have in Common?

SPIKE MIC™
The Spike Mic Launcher is a remote listening device delivering audio surveillance. The Spike Mic dart has a built in microphone with two interchangeable tips: Sticky Dart and Suction Cup. Launch it or stick it to a surface and listen. With a live audio feed you’ll remain undetected as you hear conversations happening in far away locations. Digital transmission in the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band.

TRI-OPTICS VIDEO WATCH™
Record up to 20 minutes of video using 3 unique lenses on the Tri-Optics Video Watch. Rotate the watch’s outer ring to switch between standard, wide or zoom lenses. Hide your watch in an unsuspecting location and let the internal motion detector auto-record video whenever it detects movement. Use the included USB cable to download your footage and charge the Tri-Optics Video Watch. Stream, record and capture live video and photos.

SPY WIRE MIC™
Spy Wire Mic lets you record conversations covertly! Attach the recording device to your belt and line your jacket with the wired microphone. Press the record button to activate audio recording and capture conversation.

ANSWERS
• Low price (between $9.99 and $39.99)
• Available at Walmart.
• Recommended for ages 8+

Building a generation of adults predisposed to snooping one birthday at a time.

Gumshoe Surveillance Trick #623

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington - The Nike+iPod kit consists of a sensor which is placed in the sole of your left Nike+ shoe and a receiver which plugs into the bottom of the iPod Nano. The sensor in your shoe detects when you take steps (while walking or jogging) and transmits this information to the receiver.

When you walk or run the Nike+iPod sensor in your shoe will transmit messages using a wireless radio. These messages contain a unique identifier that can be detected from 60 feet away. This information is potentially private because it can reveal where you are, even when you'd prefer for a bad person to not know your location.

From Nike... Simply slip the Nike+ sensor into the Air Zoom Moire shoe pocket, or any other Nike+ Ready shoe, and head out. The Nike+ sensor slips unobtrusively into a pocket under the sockliner. Waterproof and virtually unbreakable. $29.00

How Companies are Using AI to Spy on Slack

Several employers are now using an AI-powered app to analyze and monitor messages across Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other platforms.

What spy is this?

It’s called Aware, an Ohio-based startup that launched in 2017, per CNBC, and its clients include Nestle, Walmart, Delta Air Lines, and Starbucks.

It uses AI, trained on previous employee interactions, to analyze messages and determine:

• How various groups of employees feel about the company or decisions it makes.
• If bullying or discrimination is happening.
• If employees are sharing confidential info.
• If employees are sending inappropriate texts, photos, or videos.
• How often teams communicate with one another.

In theory, this makes it easier for employers to stay on top of employee sentiment and potential risks in an increasingly online world. more

Cops Can't Spy on Your Yard and Home Without Warrant... sometimes

WA - A federal judge on Monday tossed evidence that was gathered by a webcam turned on for six weeks—that the authorities nailed to a utility pole 100 yards from a suspected drug dealer's rural Washington state house.

The Justice Department contended that the webcam, with pan-and-zoom capabilities that were operated from afar, was no different from a police officer's observation from the public right-of-way.

"After reviewing relevant Fourth Amendment jurisprudence and applying such to the facts here, the Court rules that the Constitution permits law enforcement officers to remotely and continuously view and record an individual’s front yard (and the activities and people thereon) through the use of a hidden video camera concealed off of the individual’s property but only upon obtaining a search warrant from a judge based on a showing of probable cause to believe criminal activity was occurring. The American people have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the activities occurring in and around the front yard of their homes particularly where the home is located in a very rural, isolated setting. This reasonable expectation of privacy prohibits the warrantless, continuous, and covert recording of Mr. Vargas’ front yard for six weeks. Mr. Vargas’ motion to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of the video feed is granted." (more)

Ford's Anti-Eavesdropping Tech Is Straight Out Of A Spy Movie

As in-car Zoom meetings become a reality, Ford wants to protect occupants from eavesdroppers.

Ford has filed a patent for a new motor vehicle workspace with enhanced privacy, effectively preventing eavesdroppers from listening to calls you take in your car. CarBuzz discovered the patent, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and while it may sound like some James Bond-like technology, it's simply a way to ensure that your conversations aren't being listened to by passersby and other occupants in the vehicle.

As we move closer to higher levels of autonomous driving, the occupants of a car will need something to pass the time. That's why several new vehicles are equipped with teleconferencing facilities. It may sound silly, but don't forget we now live in a world where a Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes standard with TikTok and a selfie camera. more

Before you upgrade your iPhone next month...

Scary stuff in the news...
"iPhones sold as refurbished units may contain personal data from their previous owners that, with a little leg-work, is readily accessible by new owners. These data include email, images, contacts and more. ...performing a “Restore” operation on the iPhone does not delete personal data from the device. Such information remains intact on the device after a restore, making the process unsuitable as a preparatory measure for iPhone resale or service. Apparently, Apple’s refurbishing procedure also does not delete the personal data.

There currently exits no viable, publicly available method for erasing personal data on the iPhone. Erasing your content and settings has no effect on whether a subsequent owner can recover personal information." (source)

Kevin's Reality Check
1. Go into Settings > General > Reset
2. Hit "Erase all Content and Settings."

This will keep your info from most people, but not forensic types with toolkits. They can access what doesn't get erased - the application screenshots. Screenshots are taken every time the Home button is pressed. Reason: to generate the zoom effect for the next time an application is accessed.

Still paranoid?
• Make new screenshots after you erase all content.
Still paranoid?
• Search the net for info on reformatting the phone's NAND.