Buzz
Although George Orwell may have been ahead of his time in predicting a society dominated by surveillance in 1984, some of today's technological advancements show he wasn't too far from the truth. Previous discussions have touched on paranoia-inducing innovations like Google Glass, facial recognition systems, and brain scanning technology. If those didn’t make you think twice, here are 10 more unsettling scientific breakthroughs that will surely raise your eyebrows. With tools that can track our every move, peer into our minds, and even alter our thoughts, Big Brother now wields power that Orwell’s Thought Police could only have dreamed about.
10. Memories That Can Be Implanted
After the revelations from whistleblowers like Manning and Snowden, most of us have come to accept that anything we say, do, or search online is likely being monitored by someone. When you add that to the mix of camera drones, facial recognition software, and even in-home spies (think game consoles and smart TVs), it seems the only private space left on Earth is our own minds. Or is it? It turns out, even opting for a life off the grid or choosing to live in silence can’t prevent our thoughts from being intercepted by implantable memories. Thanks to MIT scientists, you might soon be unsure whether your thoughts are your own, or if they've been artificially implanted.
Using optogenetics, scientists have successfully implanted false memories into mice by controlling specific brain cells with light. Light is directed into the hippocampus, triggering particular cells associated with certain memories. This allows researchers to modify those memories, making the mouse believe it experienced an event that never occurred. For example, they can make a mouse perceive a room as dangerous even though the mouse has no prior negative experience there.
While altering the memories of mice is one thing, the real question arises when this technology expands to humans. Could someone be made to believe they committed a crime they didn’t? What about the future of education—will everyone one day have identical memories and belief systems implanted into their minds?
9. The Ability to See Through Walls
The researchers at MIT seem to be deeply intrigued by Orwellian concepts, as alongside their work on memory manipulation, they’ve also developed a method to “see” through walls.
The technology, called “Wi-Vi,” uses Wi-Fi radio waves to detect movement behind walls. Much like sonar or radar, it works by emitting wireless signals and analyzing the bounce-back, or ping, to reveal what’s hidden from view. To tell the difference between still objects and moving humans, Wi-Vi sends out two signals that cancel each other unless they detect motion. Inanimate objects, like furniture, are ignored, while human movement is easily tracked on the Wi-Vi monitor.
At present, Wi-Vi only shows moving shapes, not detailed silhouettes, but it can still provide a glimpse of activity beyond walls. The technology is affordable, and the Wi-Vi team envisions it one day being integrated into smartphones for applications such as home security and baby monitoring. On the downside, we can easily imagine it becoming the perfect tool for stalkers.
8. Filter Bubbles
At first glance, filter bubbles might seem harmless, even useful. Google and other search engines use them to customize search results based on your past online behavior. Essentially, you and a friend can search the same term and receive completely different results. The listings you see are tailored to what Google believes will appeal to you.
So, what’s the issue? Instead of delivering the most pertinent results, search engines place you in “information bubbles” that provide content you’re more likely to agree with. This leads to people receiving news from only similar sources and completely missing alternative viewpoints.
As a result, the Internet—intended to be the world's largest source of information—becomes quite restrictive. Those who aren’t careful risk filtering out critical issues and living in a bubble of content “junk food,” which consists mostly of celebrity gossip and adult content. Naturally, Big Brother is more than happy to oblige, as those who remain unaware rarely stir the pot.
7. Televisions That Observe You
Earlier this year, the Chinese company TCL launched an HDTV featuring voice and video recognition to identify who is watching. Powered by the Google TV platform, the technology is designed to deliver customized programming and advertisements tailored to the viewer. Other companies are working on similar TVs that integrate with your home network, offering the ability to suggest products or ads on your computer related to what you are watching on TV.
As if that wasn’t already an invasion of privacy, some camera-equipped TVs can actually peer into your home, monitoring your habits and even tracking your facial expressions in response to what’s playing on the screen. So much for casually enjoying a bowl of ice cream in your pajamas while watching TV.
Concerned about the privacy risks these TVs pose, Massachusetts Representative Michael Capuano introduced the “We Are Watching You” bill. This legislation requires companies to obtain consumer consent before their TV, DVR, or cable box can collect personal data. If passed, the law would also mandate companies to display the message “We are watching you” whenever information is being gathered.
It seems like we now have two Big Brothers in today’s world—the government and corporate giants.
6. Internet Scrubbing
While filter bubbles passively keep people in the dark, or at least separate from those with differing views, internet scrubbing is an overt tactic to stifle the free flow of information. If you think it’s impossible to control the flood of content on the internet, just look at China, where internet scrubbing has become a profitable industry.
Since 2007, “Internet crisis management companies” in China have been wiping negative or controversial content about their clients from the web. These services don’t come cheap—blocking a search term can cost up to $160,000—but for companies and high-profile individuals desperate to protect their image, it’s a price worth paying to keep the truth hidden. Law enforcement is attempting to crack down on such practices, which is ironic since the Chinese government itself manipulates the internet. For example, nothing online reaches Chinese citizens without passing through the country’s “Great Firewall.”
Though such extreme censorship isn’t found everywhere, some argue it’s only a matter of time before it spreads, with China serving as an Orwellian testing ground where autocrats can experiment with what works and what doesn’t.
5. Hackable Cars
What’s worse than being in a car that’s constantly being tracked? Having a vehicle that could turn on you without warning. No, we’re not referencing that bizarre episode of Knight Rider where we meet KITT’s evil counterpart, KARR. We’re talking about all the modern cars on the road today, equipped with built-in software.
A recent report highlights that today’s “connected” cars have software embedded in every onboard system, including brakes, powertrain, and throttle. Many also feature navigation systems and smartphone integration. While these add convenience and promise enhanced safety, they actually make cars vulnerable to theft, surveillance, and cyber attacks while in motion. Essentially, anyone with the right skills and resources can hack into a car and control it remotely.
While many worry about the power this gives to terrorists and hackers, conspiracy theorists suggest that government intelligence agencies are already exploiting these tools for malicious purposes. The most recent example being the alleged assassination of journalist Michael Hastings, where his Mercedes was driven into a tree remotely.
4. License Plate Scanners
If you own a car, there’s a strong possibility that a file exists somewhere with photos of your vehicle and its exact location on the day each photo was taken. Thanks to the reduced cost, local and state law enforcement agencies are adopting license plate scanners and collecting millions of digital records of vehicles and their plates. These scanners are everywhere—on police cars, buildings, bridges, and traffic signals—capturing the image of every passing vehicle and sending the data to a police database.
The scanners are intended to deter serious crimes like drug trafficking and child abduction, but the most frequent offense people get caught for is driving with a revoked or suspended registration. While the Supreme Court in the US has ruled it illegal for police to track individuals via GPS without prior judicial consent, there is no such restriction on utilizing a network of scanners to monitor someone's movements.
With scanners watching at all times, as one reporter remarked, “You can drive, but you can’t hide.”
3. Implantable Body Sensors
Scientists in the US and Britain are working on implantable biochips that can track your vital signs and behaviors, transmitting this data wirelessly to medical personnel. These chips, implanted under the skin, can monitor changes in blood pressure, glucose levels, and heart rate. They are also capable of detecting behavioral shifts that may signal health concerns, such as posture changes or whether prescribed medications have been taken.
VeriChip—now known as PositiveID—was a pioneer in this field, offering implantable identity chips that linked individuals to their medical records. The technology received approval from the US FDA in 2004, becoming the first biochip available to the public. However, it was discontinued in 2010 due to weak sales. It turns out that many people were uncomfortable with the idea of having a microchip embedded under their skin that could reveal personal details.
Nonetheless, the latest biochips hold more promise, especially as they are being designed for people in high-risk professions like the military, and those with significant health issues. These individuals are more likely to accept a trade-off in privacy for the peace of mind that comes with continuous medical monitoring.
The Orwellian concern surrounding these biochips is that, if they become widespread, they could set a dangerous precedent where employers or insurance companies require individuals to implant these chips in order to track their health and lifestyle choices. As with all the technologies on this list, biochips present a double-edged sword—they offer significant benefits but also open the door to potential misuse.
2. Brain-Fingerprinting
Through a technique known as brain-scanning, forensic scientists have figured out how to use electroencephalography (EEG) to reveal the secrets stored in your brain. By showing you images or words, they can track your brain’s electrical patterns. This method can currently detect whether you have knowledge of certain information and also monitor your emotional responses.
In 2008, a security company from Israel unveiled plans to enhance this technology for use in airport security by combining it with infrared technology, flashing subliminal messages, and remote sensors. The goal is to bypass physical searches of luggage or footwear by analyzing brain activity to determine a person’s intent. For example, if you exhibit signs of stress or react to subliminal images of bombs, you’re likely considered a security threat.
Although this idea may sound outlandish, brain-fingerprinting is already admissible in court, and it has been used to challenge the murder conviction of Terry Harrington. With its ability to determine whether a person recalls a particular event, brain-fingerprinting has great potential as a law enforcement tool. Its accuracy rate, with less than 1 percent error, makes it a strong candidate to replace traditional polygraph tests. However, as memories can be manipulated, the reliability of brain-fingerprinting may not be as flawless as it seems.
1. Kinect
Microsoft has introduced its own surveillance tool—the Kinect, which rivals the privacy-breaching smart TVs. For years, the Kinect has silently monitored people's living rooms, and with the release of Xbox One, its potential for creepiness is set to rise. This is because the updated Kinect must remain always on. There's no unplugging it or covering it up when you're feeling uncomfortable; it has to stay ready for voice or hand commands even when the Xbox is powered off.
If much of your entertainment is centered around Xbox, get ready for your actions, voice, and heart rate to be continuously recorded. Microsoft claims they don’t send data to their servers without user consent, and they promise not to share your information with the NSA. However, Skype—which is now owned by Microsoft—made similar assurances, and we all know how that played out.
