An Italian start-up Capable has launched its first knitwear collection ‘Manifesto Collection’ designed to protect its wearers from AI camera facial recognition technology without obscuring the face. It includes hoodies, pants, T-shirts and dresses.
The ‘adversarial patch’ pattern on each garment was designed by AI algorithms to confuse facial recognition systems in real-time to protect the wearer’s privacy.
The camera may not be able to recognise the wearer, or it may confuse the wearer with one of the animals depicted on the pattern (e.g., a zebra, giraffe or dog). In addition, real-time object recognition system YOLO, the most popular and fastest algorithm, is used to validate this fabric.
While Adversarial patches have previously only been printed on garments, the patented process developed by Capable allows the wearer to seamlessly integrate the algorithm into the garment itself without sacrificing aesthetics.
Additionally, the Manifesto collection was designed to address the underrepresentation of an issue that affects the majority of people around the world: “the right to privacy and the protection of biometric data such as a person’s facial image.”
“Choosing what to wear is the first act of communication we perform, every day. A choice that can be the vehicle of our values,” says CEO Rachele Didero.
“In a world where data is the new oil, Capable addresses the issue of privacy, opening the discussion on the importance of protecting against the misuse of biometric recognition cameras: a problem that has become increasingly present in our daily life, involving citizens from all over the world and which, if neglected, could freeze the rights of the individual including freedom of expression, association, and free movement in public spaces.”
Prices for the Manifesto Collection garments start at around US $ 246. The garments can be purchased and pre-ordered from Capable online store.
