Can fashion beat facial recognition? Designers are creating clothes to confuse AI
As AI-powered cameras become better at identifying and tracking people, European designers are exploiting algorithmic weaknesses with prints, infrared lights and signal-blocking accessories
In an era where surveillance systems are becoming increasingly prevalent, a new trend is emerging in the world of fashion. Designers are crafting clothing that can potentially thwart AI-powered facial recognition technology. This innovative approach, known as "adversarial clothing," aims to confuse computer vision systems and protect the wearer's privacy.
The idea of "anti-surveillance fashion" is gaining traction, particularly among younger generations concerned about their privacy in the age of AI. According to a recent poll, around 60% of respondents viewed facial recognition technology as a step towards turning Britain into a surveillance society.
Brands like Urban Privacy and Cap_able are leading the charge in this field. Urban Privacy, founded in 2017 by designer Nicole Scheller, offers clothing and accessories designed to disrupt data transmission. Their OFLAIN pouch, for instance, functions like a Faraday cage, blocking electromagnetic signals and making the wearer's smartphone virtually invisible to surveillance systems.
Similarly, Cap_able offers colorful garments covered in abstract prints, which the brand claims can confuse facial recognition algorithms. The brand's founder, Rachele Didero, recalls that when she began designing these garments in 2018, people thought she was creating masks for nefarious purposes. However, as concerns about AI and privacy grow, anti-surveillance fashion is gradually moving from the fringe to mainstream consciousness.
While experts caution that the effectiveness of these designs can vary based on the specific surveillance system and conditions, the trend of anti-surveillance fashion appears to be gaining momentum. Even social media influencers are embracing the aesthetic, with British fashion figure Alexa Chung sharing an Instagram post featuring herself through a security camera. This development suggests that the next step may involve wearing these garments, rather than simply posing in front of them.
Written by urgent.news from Ynetnews Culture's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
