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US govt. invests $22 million in smart surveillance clothing

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Summary

The US government has invested $22 million in the SMART ePANTS program, which seeks to develop active smart textiles (AST) with sensors, cameras, and wires woven directly into garments. These ready-to-wear clothes will be stretchable, bendable, washable, and comfortable and will be used by intelligence, counterterrorism, and national security agencies. The program is being led by IARPA, the advanced research and development arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and has been given a 42-month timeline to produce results. There is some concern that this technology could be used as a mass surveillance tool, but IARPA and its partners have stated that it is being developed to reduce crime and for the overall good of the community.

Q&As

What is the SMART ePANTS program?
The SMART ePANTS program is a US government program seeking to develop active smart textiles (AST) with sensors, cameras, and wires woven directly into garments.

What technologies are being incorporated into garments?
Sensors, cameras, and wires are being incorporated into garments.

What are the potential applications of SMART ePANTS?
The application of SMART ePANTS will be across agents and employees of intelligence, counterterrorism, and national security agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency National Security Agency, among others. It could also assist personnel and first responders in dangerous, high-stress environments, such as crime scenes and arms control inspections.

How much money has the US Department of Defense invested in the program?
The US Department of Defense has collectively awarded Nautilus Defense and Leidos over $22 million to develop the fabric.

What are the potential concerns about the SMART ePANTS program being used as a mass surveillance tool?
There are potential concerns that the SMART ePANTS program could be used as a mass surveillance tool, as the US intelligence community has a history with warrantless surveillance. The US government has been repeatedly accused of mass surveillance of its citizens, especially post-9/11.

AI Comments

👍 It's great to see that the US government is investing in innovative new technology that will help benefit national security efforts and protect citizens from terrorism.

👎 It's concerning that this technology could be used as a tool for mass surveillance, violating citizens' privacy rights and civil liberties.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about a US government program called SMART ePANTS that is investing $22 million in smart surveillance clothing. The active smart textiles can record audio, video and geolocation data.

Friend: Wow! That sounds like quite a powerful surveillance tool.

Me: Exactly! It could be used for a variety of purposes, from helping intelligence and counterterrorism agencies to assisting first responders in dangerous environments. But it also raises a lot of red flags when it comes to privacy rights and potential mass surveillance. The US government has a history of warrantless surveillance and this technology could be used to gather a lot of data about citizens.

Action items

Research the US Patriot Act and its implications for privacy rights.
Explore the potential applications of active and passive smart textiles.
Investigate the timeline of NSA surveillance from 1791 to 2015 published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Technical terms

Smart Surveillance Clothing: Clothing that is equipped with sensors, cameras, and wires that can record audio, video, and geolocation data.
Active Smart Textiles (AST): Textiles that can adapt and change their functionality in response to changes in the external environment or response to user input.
Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA): The advanced research and development arm of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI): The US government agency that oversees the US Intelligence Community (IC).
Central Intelligence Agency National Security Agency (CIA NSA): US government agencies that are involved in intelligence, counterterrorism, and national security.
SMART ePANTS: A US government program seeking to develop active smart textiles (AST) with sensors, cameras, and wires woven directly into garments.
Mass Surveillance: The monitoring of large numbers of people, usually by government agencies, for the purpose of gathering information.
US Patriot Act: A US law passed shortly after 9/11 that allows access to citizens' data without probable cause.
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): A non-profit that promotes civil liberties.