Privacy

2018 is fast becoming the year that facial recognition technology finally hits the mainstream with a constant torrent of stories revealing the growing use of these systems by law enforcement agencies. But some people are now asking if they violate civil liberties.

Facebook finds itself in the midst of another privacy storm, and so once again the issues of data collection and user privacy are back in the headlines. If you're wondering what kinds of information you're giving away to the apps you use – and how you can limit it – here's what you need to know.

Drones are increasingly crowding the airspace, so it’s only natural that the counter-drone market is growing too. The wide arsenal from DroneShield just got a little wider with the DroneGun Tactical, a new handheld jamming weapon that disrupts more frequencies from a smaller, more portable package.

​A Faraday cage is a must-have accessory for any conspiracy theorist, but KFC thinks an enclosure with the ability to block electromagnetic fields might appeal to another segment of the community – those looking to escape the e-marketing blitz surrounding Cyber Monday.

Companies are experimenting with ways to balance glass' ability to let light in with the need for a little privacy. Now, Kinestral has unveiled a new system of smart-tinting glass called Halio, which can be adjusted manually or set up to switch automatically.

If you don't have access to a flock of drone-hunting eagles, a new weapon could be the next-best option, with the ability to ground unmanned aircraft from up to 1.3 mi (2 km) away. ​

We’re tech optimists here at New Atlas, and that goes for small-scale unpersoned aerial vehicles. But clearly there’s something about their potential for snoopery that disgruntles the house-proud. Judging by the technology on this list someone somewhere thinks there’s an anti-drone buck to be had.

Walkera's new flagship camera drone packs a 16x optical zoom lens capable of a 1500mm focal length. Plus, with both the drone and the controller connected to 4G wireless internet, there’s no limit on control range - you could literally fly this thing from the other side of the world.​

Although a webcam may appear to be inactive, it's possible for someone to hack into your computer and use it to watch you without your knowledge. The only way to be sure that this isn't the case is to cover the lens, which is just what the Nope 2.0 magnetic privacy shield is designed to do.

Designed by Lenz Architects, the aptly-named Shell House looks like a squat turtle with its shell-like roof. The house is located on the outskirts of Almaty, Kazakstan, and can be closed-up to the outside to increase security and privacy.

Two skilled hackers have made a terrifying demonstration: an exploit that lets them remotely take control of just about any electronically controlled part of your internet-connected Chrysler, including the steering, throttle and brakes.

We've all become used to facial recognition technology helping us to tag our friends in photos online. There may be times, however, that you don't want to be recognized like this. With that in mind, security firm AVG has unveiled a prototype pair of glasses that combat facial recognition systems.