Re: [sudo-discuss] anti-surveillance mask: not so easy...

Yo's- As of a few years ago, one of the state-of-the-art techniques for computer face recognition utilized the geometry of the distances and angles between the "seven holes" on a face: the eyes, nostrils, mouth, and ears. These are attributes that can't be altered without resorting to very hardcore surgery. For a mask of this type to be effective, it has to: a) Allow only the wearer's eyes to be seen (because the wearer has to be able to see out). b) Be worn with a hood or a hat that covers the entire ears e.g. a knit cap. c) Have no "holes" for the wearer's nose or mouth. In addition the wearer should also wear reflective sun glasses to obscure their eyes. Even the eyes, by themselves, might be usable for unique identification from a distance, if the details of the iris can be picked up by a suitable camera. Even without the iris, eyes might be usable based on distances and angles: distance between pupils, angles between corners of eyes relative to vertical and horizontal planes, any degree of consistent variation in the "aim" of the eyes, etc. Reflective sun glasses are always a good idea. A few other things that come to mind: Dust masks and similar anti-viral (N-95) face masks (it's not a mask, it's flu/allergy/whatever season!). Freedom-of-religion claims, to wear certain types of clothing that have the effect of masking one's face (one doesn't need to believe in a deity in order to exercise freedom of religion). Burqas for men (also a statement of solidarity with women who wear the burqa either as a freely-chosen expression of Muslim identity or as the outcome of being denied the choice to do otherwise by patriarchial culture). Face paint and similar makeup that obscures facial details in the manner of the "artistic" Naval camouflage used in WW1. Earphones of the oldschool over-the-ear style that cover the ears (it's not a mask, it's music!). Certain types of occupational safety gear such as hard hats and welders' face shields. Wigs and other hairpieces. Motorcycle helmets and ultra-safe bicycle helmets that look like motorcycle helmets. Ideal case, a "look like someone else" face mask that can be worn from a headband so it can be flipped up easily when needed; and the headband can be concealed under a hood or hat. Cheers- -G Boycott GMAIL: (G)oogle (M)onitors (A)ll (I)ncoming (L)etters (Credit to Troy, spread the meme.) ===== On 14-05-12-Mon 1:17 PM, Hol Gaskill wrote: