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06/04/2003 Archived Entry: "CIA Developing digital technology to snoop through digital photos"

BIG BROTHER'S AT IT AGAIN.

The CIA is bankrolling efforts to improve technology designed to scour millions of digital photos or video clips for particular cars or street signs or even, some day, human faces.

The innovative software from fledgling PiXlogic LLC of Los Altos, Calif., promises to help analysts make better use of the CIA's enormous electronic archives. Analysts also could be alerted whenever a helicopter or other targeted item appeared in a live video broadcast.

PiXlogic plans to announce Wednesday that the CIA's venture-capital organization, In-Q-Tel, has invested an unspecified amount to help the company improve the software.

In-Q-Tel — named for "Q," the fictional inventor of fanciful spy gadgetry for James Bond — makes about a dozen such investments annually with roughly $35 million it receives from the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology.

Don't you find it annoying that the CIA spends millions of your dollars to snoop into your life, while fantasizing that it's part of a cool, sexy, macho movie-hero world? Of course, this means it regards you as Dr. No.

Webmistress Debra sent the above story. It's wonderful having so many friends brightening the day.

Posted by Claire @ 12:11 PM CST
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