Criminals could commit crimes in full-view of cameras with access to a new accessory.
Specially designed reflective glasses that blur CCTV images have now met their crowdfunding target. The accessory, called ‘Reflectacles’, reflect light off of the wearer’s face, increasing visibility and confusing security cameras’ infrared sensors.
The spectacles cost between £78 and £100 ($95-$125) and are designed to ‘erase our faces’ even in low light conditions. The eyewear can be used to thwart group photos, selfies, or paparazzi, according to Chicago-based designer Scott Urban. They could also be used by cyclists and joggers for extra visibility at night.
Reflectacles recently surpassed its crowdfunding goal of £23,000 ($28,000) on Kickstarter.
Thirty five year-old Mr Urban claims that the crowdfunded specs are made from micro-prismatic retro-reflective materials. In a promotional video for the spectacles, he says: ‘This material is the most reflective material that currently exists.
The entrepreneur says that the reflective materials used to make the product’s ‘Ghost’ range are normally only found in laboratories. ‘There are a lot of people doing things that are anti-surveillance,’ Mr Urban told DNAinfo. ‘With Snowden leaks, WikiLeaks, people are starting to realise that everything I do is being watched,’ he said. But the glasses could help criminals avert the watchful eye of security cameras. Footage captured of illegal activity is useless unless a criminal can be identified from the images.
Mr Urban says that he is a private person who isn’t interested in technology. The designer says he still uses a flip-phone and doesn’t like it when people take his picture. Mr Urban claims he will make hundreds of pairs of the glasses for all of his crowdfunding backers.
He plans to continue selling them on his website as opposed to retail stores
