[Ssc-dev] iOS and ObscuraCam

Mon Apr 9 20:57:03 EDT 2012

Hi Bryan,

Nice to be introduced to you. Thanks Gary for linking us up.

As brief background, we've been looking at how we can make audio/visual tools more secure and give protection for their users and subjects featured on captured media, and a small grant made it possible for us to explore a 'secure cam' app for iOS back around April last year. The rationale for iOS wasn't we all love Apple :-) but rather it struck me that the iPod Touch could be configured in to a powerful audio/visual tool for journalists and CJs. As part of our work, Internews has at times distributed Flips and other cameras to Js and CJs. So, there was a question whether an iPod Touch could be distributed instead, pre-packed with the tools required.

I used to run an Internews project in Sri Lanka and we worked closely with journalists. One of the things that struck me was the possible use of a blur cam at protests. If protests holding signs had their faces blurred out, it would certainly protect them from backlash. Though with literally hundreds of photos being taken, there was of course no guarantees – but that was the idea.

I have attached an internal document which clearly describes the functionality/use of TERC. Please treat this as an internal document. TERC is only for photos only – though I've thought about how we can run a video clip in slow-mo and use a finger to blur aspects of the video. In the design, I've shied away from attempting to automate facial detection because from past experience facial detection is not a perfect process and depends on lighting conditions, etc… Though I know the algorithms have improved significantly, and ObscuraCam seems to do a good job.

Right now, TERC is available in prototype/ beta. As I mentioned the budget allocated was relatively small, and we are plotting the next moves.

I'd love to know more about the encryption functionality you guys are exploring on the iOS. It'd be great to get a conversation going and build a community of developers around iOS (and other platforms like Blackberry) who can develop apps prioritising encryption and security features.

Trust you are well. Look forward to hearing from you. Happy to do a call if that's a more efficient form of comms.

Best, Sam.

Sam de Silva | Innovation Advisor, Asia
sdesilva at internews.org<mailto:email at internews.org> | Voip +61 3-9018-7003
Office  +66 2-651-5544  | Skype on request
Address c/- 29 Vanissa Building, 19th Floor, Room 19 C,
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From: Bryan Nunez <bryan at witness.org<mailto:bryan at witness.org>>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2012 11:53:30 -0400
To: "Gary Garriott (ggarriott at INTERNEWS.ORG<mailto:ggarriott at INTERNEWS.ORG>)" <ggarriott at INTERNEWS.ORG<mailto:ggarriott at INTERNEWS.ORG>>
Cc: sam <sdesilva at internews.org<mailto:sdesilva at internews.org>>, "ssc-dev at lists.mayfirst.org<mailto:ssc-dev at lists.mayfirst.org>" <ssc-dev at lists.mayfirst.org<mailto:ssc-dev at lists.mayfirst.org>>
Subject: Re: iOS and ObscuraCam

Hi Gary,

Sorry for the delay in responding.  Coming back from the flu and still catching up on the backlog.

Thanks for the introduction to Sam.  Nice to meet you.  I want to introduce you both to our team including the Guardian Project whom you know.

Sam, I'd love to get more details on what you guys are doing.  We've been in conversations with an iOS developer who's been working on CameraSafe, which has some nice data encryption functionality which might also be of interest.

Best,
Bryan

On Thu, Apr 5, 2012 at 5:32 PM, Gary Garriott (ggarriott at INTERNEWS.ORG<mailto:ggarriott at INTERNEWS.ORG>) <ggarriott at internews.org<mailto:ggarriott at internews.org>> wrote:
Hi Bryan,

You may recall we had an interesting conversation at the ISC dinner a few weeks ago. I recall you saying you were interested in looking at the iOS platform for ObscuraCam.

Wanted to introduce you to Sam de Silva, based in Australia, who has been leading an Internews effort to develop a somewhat similar app for Apple platforms called TERC. I just finished a conversation with him and said I would be happy to make the connection.

Hope all is well,

Gary

Gary Garriott
Director, ICT Programs
Internews Network
1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20036 USA
Tel. +1 202 833 5740, ext. 230<tel:%2B1%20202%20833%205740%2C%20ext.%20230>
Email: ggarriott at internews.org<mailto:ggarriott at internews.org>
Skype: ggarriott

--
Bryan Nunez
Technology Manager
WITNESS
+1 (718) 783-2000 x-311

Our SecureSmartCam mobile app is in the running for a Knight Foundation #NewsChallenge Grant - learn how you can help us win<http://www.witness.org/about-us/announcements/knight-challenge-grant-details>.

Click here<https://www.mailcontrol.com/sr/BpV2thl7ilfTndxI!oX7UgDvTB1!8f1hR3XH1JYGpkWuhI3kTvMg7buIwF934DZVpC2UKDT3XLRaXEW7R1X!lw==> to report this email as spam.
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