January 27, 2012

New Apps Help Activists Sharing Video To Remain Anonymous

Screen-shot-2012-01-20-at-1.18.png A pair of new apps, launched via a collaboration between WITNESS, The Guardian Project, and the International Bar Association, are attempting to ensure better "visual anonymity" and "visual privacy" for activists -- but also to preserve that video for posterity. Radio Free Europe reports.

quotemarksright.jpg ObscuraCam, which is currently only built for Android, allows users to post videos online with pixilated faces to protect their identities. It can also delete potentially incriminating metadata attached to the video.

InformaCam, a plug-in to ObscuraCam. For the sake of posterity, the app allows the user to add context; for instance, whether or not the subject of the video gave their permission to be filmed. It can also provide information about the creator's intent, how the media was acquired, and "if a particular image or video is a duplicate of another." InformaCam also allows the user to send the image or video to "trusted destinations," which could be "an organization, a news outlet, or any friend whose PGP key is known to you."quotesmarksleft.jpg

Read full article.

Related: apps for activists and related articles:

-- Activist app Protest4 gained 50,000 users in 17 days

-- Inhuman Microphone app lets protesters spread the word

-- Wall Street Protests Use Go App to Coordinate Anonymously

-- Occupy Wall Street inspires the 'I'm getting arrested' app

-- Wall Street protesters use social media app Vibe to communicate anonymously

-- Twitter buys Whisper Systems Which Creates Privacy Tools for Activists

emily | 9:53 PM | Cell Phone apps | permalink

January 17, 2012

iPhone 4S camera reportedly removed from Singapore carriers

The camera of the iPhone 4S is usually touted as a highlight feature, but Singapore's carriers may soon be offering Apple's flagship phone with both shooters removed — thanks to some aftermarket modding. CNet Asia reports via The Verge.

quotemarksright.jpgIt's said to be part of an initiative from Apple's three carrier partners in Singapore, who hope to sell the iPhone to military personnel prohibited from carrying phones with cameras due to security concerns (RIM has provided camera-free BlackBerry devices in the past for similar reasons).quotesmarksleft.jpg

Read full article.

emily | 9:00 AM | News, Buzz | permalink

January 15, 2012

App sends latest images of Mars straight to your cell phone

mzl.iwrxfmfa.jpeg

An app called Mars Images can send the newest pictures of the red planet taken by the Opportunity rover straight to your iPhone, iPad, or Android phones and tablets.

[via Tecca.com]

emily | 8:32 PM | Cell Phone apps | permalink