Why Spy Agencies May Lose Sweeping Surveillance Powers
TimeNov 25, 2022
The Facts
According to a report published by The Intercept — which sites an Aug. 22 press release from the US office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the agency's research and development arm — the federal government is investing $22M in clothing that "can record audio, video, and geolocation data."
The program — called The Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems (SMART ePANTS) — "represents the largest single investment to develop Active Smart Textiles (AST) that feel, move, and function like any garment." Potential clothing items include socks, underwear, shirts, and pants.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This program is simply an attempt to comfortably integrate already-known technology into the work clothes of America's defense, first responder, and intelligence agencies. The safety of the men and women on the front lines is the number one priority, which is why the US government is rolling out this innovation in wearable tech.
Establishment-critical narrative
With all the biometric data technology entering the commercial market today, everyone should know how powerful it can be in the hands of the US government. Imagine how much of our lives could be observed and tracked if the tech industry and intelligence agencies began implementing the same technology into our everyday products — including garments.
