Ahead of the game’s release later this month, Ubisoft has launched the Selfie Experience, a digital experience for Watch dogs 2 aimed at exposing the hidden mechanisms of everyday life.
The system uses multiple image analysis APIs to tell you the hidden values contained within your selfie. Millions of selfies are posted daily without a thought to what kind of data they might contain or expose about who you are (apart from your face). In line with Watch Dogs 2’s hacking theme, Selfie Reveal exposes the potential information being assembled from your selfies and suggests how the collected data may be making you an unknowing target for high-powered industries.
To start, just head on to the official site and upload your selfie and through the experience, see what type of personal data is being gathered.
> Looking a little sad? Your emotions could possibly be sold off to Big Pharma so that they can target you with antidepressant products. Wearing glasses? Eyewear companies might think you need fresh new pair. An independent voter but showing signs of leaning Democrat? Super PACS could possibly use your information to underhandedly sway your vote.
“All that is required for inclusion in a facial recognition database is a selfie,” said David Maynor, Creative Consultant on hacker tools, techniques, and culture for Watch_Dogs 2.
“Selfies could be thought of as taking your own mug shot in this regard. These pictures can be mined for behavior and lifestyle indicators over time. As a hypothetical example, can you imagine getting an email from your healthcare provider where they noticed you have gained weight by comparing a series of selfies over the last year and as a result your premiums are going up?”
Creepy.
