#Paranoid show series

Trinkwalder and Stute's design aims to prevent the user's sensitive information from being heard either by fitting onto the top of the device and 'numbing' Alexa when needed, or by feeding fake information to the device.įor the latter, users can choose between three modes to play over the voiceover. Related story Helm Personal Server lets users take control of their data security Having to listen at all times in order to detect the call of its name, the Alexa device observes, processes and collects data in the user's home whenever it is switched on. The second object is an add-on to the well-known Amazon Echo virtual assistant, which responds to the call of 'Alexa'. The webcam addresses fears of hackers gaining access to the cameras positioned at the top of users' laptops or smart devices, allowing them to see into their personal spaces.

#Paranoid show series

The first object in the series is the 'un-hacking' webcam, which takes the principle of a toy camera and applies it to data security by displaying different, fabricated scenes through the webcam as if it was in real-time. 'If attempts to restrict the flow of our personal data would consequentially restrict our access to said services and products as well, do we have no other option but to obey and share?' they asked. 'With the comfort of automation also comes a subtle danger in our connected devices, which process personal information about their users every day,' said the Cologne-based designers. These products are able to observe the users, learn from their observations and then make their own decisions without further human interference. The internet of things has introduced a new kind of object into our homes that depend on collecting this information.

'As users of modern services and products, we have long become habituated to trade-offs in which 'free' services are offered in exchange for some bits of our personal data.'