Image encryption technology that makes privacy the default for video surveillance involving images of individuals will be showcased during a major privacy and technology event in Toronto.
Using innovative object-based encryption, it completely obscures the images of individuals who are the subjects of video surveillance, developers describe. However, unlike current permanent masking techniques, the technology enables the images to be decrypted later on by authorized staff when an incident occurs that demands further investigation for safety or security purposes.
Scheduled for International Privacy Day, January 28, the event is hosted by Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner, Dr. Ann Cavoukian.
Awarded a $110,000 research grant by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to guide it through to commercialization, the Secure Visual Object Coding solution was developed by Karl Martin of the University of Toronto's Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Professor Kostas Plataniotis of the Identity, Privacy and Security Institute, University of Toronto.
Commissioner Cavoukian first heralded this work as part of her 2007 investigation report into Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC’s) use of video surveillance.
“This is a vital privacy-enhancing technology and I’m delighted to see it take solid steps towards entering the marketplace,” said Commissioner Cavoukian. “This type of solution allows for video surveillance to be conducted when necessary, without the privacy concerns associated with routinely monitoring and preserving images of individuals as they go about their daily activities. It also enables surveillance and privacy to co-exist, side by side – without forfeiting one for the other: positive sum, not zero-sum. This is what I call Privacy by Design – and every surveillance camera should be fitted with this remarkable technology.”
“This is an excellent example of research that advances an important branch of science and that addresses a real world market need,” said Professor Peter Lewis, Acting Vice President, Research at the University of Toronto. “We are pleased to be working with Xiris Automation, Inc. on this project and we are thankful to NSERC and the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner for their support.”
Jointly sponsored by the Toronto Board of Trade, the January 28 event marks the Commissioner’s second annual Privacy by Design Challenge, marking International Data Privacy Day. To demonstrate the practical applications of Privacy by Design, this year’s conference focuses on the implementation of new technologies, business practices, and networked infrastructures, and how they can deliver on the promise of PbD in a solid, tangible manner.
For more information about the Privacy By Design event, visit
http://www.privacybydesign.ca.
For more Mediacaster Magazine coverage of related topics, please see:
New Technologies Need Privacy Designed In: Commissioner
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISarticle.asp?aid=1000325496&PC=
IT Security Survey Seeking Input from Canadians
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISarticle.asp?aid=1000094120&PC=
HD Surveillance Group Gets Canadian Support
http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/ISarticle.asp?aid=1000346305&PC=