CV Dazzle™ is camouflage from computer vision (CV). It is a form of expressive interference that combines makeup and hair styling (or other modifications) with face-detection thwarting designs. The name is derived from a type of camouflage used during WWI, called Dazzle, which was used to break apart the gestalt-image of warships, making it hard to discern their directionality, size, and orientation. Likewise, the goal of CV Dazzle™ is to break apart the gestalt of a face, or object, and make it undetectable to computer vision algorithms, in particular face detection.

And because face detection is the first step in automated facial recognition, CV Dazzle™ can be used in any environment where automated face recognition systems are in use, such as FaceBook, Google's Picasa, or Flickr.

CV Dazzle™ was developed by Adam Harvey as a thesis project at New York University's Interactive Telecommunication Program in the spring of 2010 to explore ways of protecting and interfering with privacy compromising technologies.

"As Maggie gets more context from different parts of the siloed company, she becomes a value reservoir. Over time, Maggie not only knows what’s going on, but is likely the only person with structural and historic context as to why it is happening. If anyone would take the time to ask her for an opinion, she’d also likely have some good ideas about how to make whatever is happening better."

"A lot of the language in our terms is overly formal and protective of the rights we need to provide this service to you. Over time we will continue to clarify our positions and make the terms simpler." -- Great, once that's done maybe I'll sign up again!

"Opt out of the cookie for the Google content network and DoubleClick ad serving."

"Q: Where did I leave my keys? A: Inside pocket of your gray jacket (it's hanging in the front closet)."

rentzsch said, "This is exactly why I won't let the Post photograph me."

"By being on the Internet you implicate yourself as a vector for data."

"To remove yourself from receiving future thawte promotional mailings, please enter your e-mail address below to be removed from our mailing list."

Generate driver's license numbers, other IDs, from public data.

Opt out of preapproved credit postal spams.

Bruce Schneier's helpful summary, with link roundup.