trashdo @ [tbd]
Accepted Proposals:
Blue Book: a sousveillance system to force police transparency
We create FOSS software that lets users discover and connect with eachother by sharing livestreams of audiovideo and location data.
Think of the core functionality provided by platforms like Twitch or Facebook live, coupled with location sharing à la the live location feature on Whatsapp.
Both the software itself and it's configuration (eg 'Where and how is data persisted?') are fully under the control of the user; in particular, federation will be available, meaning groups of users will be able to deploy their own instances while optionally maintaining (meta)data links with other instances around the globe.
BUT WHAT IS THE ACTUAL USE CASE?
Any and all interaction with the justice system and/or law enforcment, with particular care given to the case where the user is young and/or otherwise marginalised and more at risk.
- Stop-and-search
- Traffic stops
- Border control
- Etc
That's the short-term goal; longer-term goals are improve the product by essentially doing useful analysis on the corpus of collected data: empirical research on police racial profiling, facial or other biometric recognition, time-geographic database of law enforcment activity, ...
See https://blue-book.pages.dev/ for a very rough outline
BUT WHAT ABOUT EXISTING SOLUTIONS?
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_(app): non-FOSS, presumably sur-disguised-as-sousveillence, cynical profit motive
- 'Hey Siri, I'm getting pulled over' iPhone shortcut: iOS only, limited functionality
- All other '911 alternative' type applications (at least that I've come across, and there are a few) are limited to single municipalities or at best states; all lack the scope or vision to engage with the problems of injustice and police violence across borders
- Apple watch fall detection: good to automatically call an ambulance when you need one but no use here
- Police body cameras: always seem to mysteriously turn off don't they?
Feedback on this impactful, sensitive and extremely personal issue is very welcome
We respect the right to anonymity, while at the same time extending the option of being identifiable to those who want it
Accepted Proposals:
Blue Book: a sousveillance system to force police transparency
We create FOSS software that lets users discover and connect with eachother by sharing livestreams of audiovideo and location data.
Think of the core functionality provided by platforms like Twitch or Facebook live, coupled with location sharing à la the live location feature on Whatsapp.
Both the software itself and it's configuration (eg 'Where and how is data persisted?') are fully under the control of the user; in particular, federation will be available, meaning groups of users will be able to deploy their own instances while optionally maintaining (meta)data links with other instances around the globe.
BUT WHAT IS THE ACTUAL USE CASE?
Any and all interaction with the justice system and/or law enforcment, with particular care given to the case where the user is young and/or otherwise marginalised and more at risk.
- Stop-and-search
- Traffic stops
- Border control
- Etc
That's the short-term goal; longer-term goals are improve the product by essentially doing useful analysis on the corpus of collected data: empirical research on police racial profiling, facial or other biometric recognition, time-geographic database of law enforcment activity, ...
See https://blue-book.pages.dev/ for a very rough outline
BUT WHAT ABOUT EXISTING SOLUTIONS?
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_(app): non-FOSS, presumably sur-disguised-as-sousveillence, cynical profit motive
- 'Hey Siri, I'm getting pulled over' iPhone shortcut: iOS only, limited functionality
- All other '911 alternative' type applications (at least that I've come across, and there are a few) are limited to single municipalities or at best states; all lack the scope or vision to engage with the problems of injustice and police violence across borders
- Apple watch fall detection: good to automatically call an ambulance when you need one but no use here
- Police body cameras: always seem to mysteriously turn off don't they?
Feedback on this impactful, sensitive and extremely personal issue is very welcome
We respect the right to anonymity, while at the same time extending the option of being identifiable to those who want it