Gaze Tracking Software Protecting Privacy
Interesting use of gaze tracking software to protect privacy:
Chameleon uses gaze-tracking software and camera equipment to track an authorized reader’s eyes to show only that one person the correct text. After a 15-second calibration period in which the software essentially “learns” the viewer’s gaze patterns, anyone looking over that user’s shoulder sees dummy text that randomly and constantly changes.
To tap the broader consumer market, Anderson built a more consumer-friendly version called PrivateEye, which can work with a simple Webcam. The software blurs a user’s monitor when he or she turns away. It also detects other faces in the background, and a small video screen pops up to alert the user that someone is looking at the screen.
How effective this is will mostly be a usability problem, but I like the idea of a system detecting if anyone else is looking at my screen.
Slashdot story.
EDITED TO ADD (7/14): A demo.
John • July 14, 2009 6:51 AM
Unfortunately, only the simplier “PrivateEye” version of the software is shown on the web site. It’s still an useful demo for the blurring of the screen when you turn away. But leaves one question unanswered…..
What if you walk away from the computer leaving it unlocked? Will it unblur the screen when someone else sits down in front of the computer?
Yes, I know you shouldn’t leave the computer unlocked and unattended. But I suspect more than a few users will feel that it’s acceptable. After all, “The screen is blurred, nothing sensitive is showing so I can take a quick trip to the water fountain, rest room, snack machine, etc.