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The federal government is reportedly investing at least $22m into developing clothes that “can record audio, video, and geolocation data.” According to a 22 August press release from the office of the Director of National Intelligence’s Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the research and development arm of the organisation, “recently launched a cutting-edge program that aims to make performance-grade, computerized clothing a reality”. The DNI touted the SMART ePANTS program, which stands for Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems, that “seeks to develop clothing with integrated audio, video, and geolocation sensor systems that feature the same stretchability, bendability, washability, and comfort of regular textiles,” IARPA stated. They will be used by the intelligence community, IARPA wrote. Since the surveillance technology will be woven into the clothing, “Intelligence Community staff will be able to record information from their environment hands-free, without the need to wear uncomfortable, bulky, and rigid devices.” For example, according to the release, the technology could “assist personnel and first responders in dangerous, high-stress environments, such as crime scenes and arms control inspections without impeding their ability to swiftly and safely operate.” The SMART ePANTS program’s mission is to to incorporate “sensor systems” into clothes, like shirts, pants, socks, and underwear. The Intercept reported that the federal government has dedicated at least $22m in funding to the program. It’s unclear just how big of a gamble IARPA might be making with its investment. Its website describes itself as investing “federal funding into high-risk, high-reward projects to address challenges facing the intelligence community.” “A lot of the IARPA and DARPA programs are like throwing spaghetti against the refrigerator,” Annie Jacobsen, author of a book called The Pentagon’s Brain about ​​the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, told the outlet. “It may or may not stick.” Dr Dawson Cagle, an IARPA program manager leading the SMART ePANTS program, said that while he is “proud of the intelligence aspect” of the program, he’s “excited about the possibilities that the program’s research will have for the greater world.” He said that he was inspired in part to create the program by his father, who was a diabetic, and therefore had to monitor his health multiple times a day. His father’s experience paired with the research that supports that the components of a computer “have already been developed, just as individual pieces,” he explained. If you can convert all of the components into a single, wearable device, the program’s goal will have been achieved, Dr Cagle said. Ms Jacobsen warned that the advancement of smart wearables could lead to future concerns over biometric surveillance by the government. “They’re now in a position of serious authority over you. In TSA, they can swab your hands for explosives,” Ms Jacobsen told The Intercept. “Now suppose SMART ePANTS detects a chemical on your skin — imagine where that can lead.” But IARPA pushed back on this assertion, as spokesperson Nicole de Haay told the outlet: “IARPA programs are designed and executed in accordance with, and adhere to, strict civil liberties and privacy protection protocols. Further, IARPA performs civil liberties and privacy protection compliance reviews throughout our research efforts.” Read More Swedish citizen goes on trial on charges of collecting information for Russia Seoul's spy agency says Russia has likely proposed North Korea to join three-way drills with China Biden says he is ‘disappointed’ at Xi Jinping skipping India’s G20 summit Vodafone users say they can’t call people World’s first solar-powered hybrid truck tested on public roads Apple is about to make a huge change to the iPhone that it never wanted to do

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A woman can barely use her hands and says her confidence has suffered after developing a suspected allergy to nail products. Lisa Dewey, 36, had been getting her nails done regularly for years without issue. But in February a set of gel nails became inflamed and started peeling away from the nail bed. At the time it was put down to a bacterial infection, and Lisa she was given a steroid cream and antibiotics to fight it. But after deciding to get a set of acrylic nails put on last month, the mum-of-two found she was hurting again. Once more, her nails became “very aggravated” and she could barely move her hands due to the pain. The NHS cleaner struggled to wash her daughter’s hair, do up a seatbelt, hold a pen and wash up. Now, despite years of nail treatments with no issues, she can never again have gel or acrylic nails, and believes it’s an allergy. Lisa, from Pattishall, Northants., said: “I’ve been getting my nails done all my life for acrylics or gels. “So when it first happened after a set of gels in February, I thought it was a bacterial infection. “My nail bed even started going purple and I worried I would lose the whole finger. “When I had them done again recently - this time acrylics - the same thing happened. “Now my skin is like paper tearing away from my fingers and I can barely move my hands from the pain. “It has knocked my confidence so much too - it’s so embarrassing and I’m always hiding my hands away.” Lisa, a mum of two girls aged three and 12, first noticed a reaction after getting gel nails applied in February. Despite getting the same treatment she had been having for years, within a matter of days her nails had began peeling up from the nail bed. One even went PURPLE - while the others became itchy and extremely sore. She never suspected her manicure could be the problem - and doctors prescribed her a round of antibiotics for what seemed to be an infection. Lisa said: “It happened suddenly - I feared I might even lose a finger when it went purple around the nail. “I feared it might be starved of oxygen - but it ended up being something completely different.” After having the gels removed and taking a break from nail products, she thought it was over. But after getting a set of acrylic nails put on again in April, the problem reared its head once more. But not only did her fingernails begin to lift again, but the skin around her nails became “like paper”. She has recently been prescribed a different round of medication to treat her. Lisa explained that being a mum to a young daughter poses issues. Her hand and nail pain makes everyday tasks tough and she is constantly having to ask for help from husband Lee, 45. She said: “Washing my daughter’s hair is hard because you have to bend your fingers. “Even strapping her in the car - if I catch my finger on the belt, I jolt from the pain because the skin is raw. “It gets so aggravated but wearing gloves doesn’t even help because sweaty hands aggravate it too. “Anything scented or fragranced makes it worse - I can’t put a conditioning treatment or mousse in my hair. Now Lisa has vowed to stay away from nail products for good - and warned others. She added: “People can get their nails done for years with no issues until one day it hits them. “I am going on holiday in August and I was booked to get my hands and toes done. Now I’m not getting them done. “This has knocked my confidence so much - I don’t normally care what people think of me, but now I hide my hands away. “It’s just embarrassing to have hands like this - there’s a coronation party this week, and if my hands aren’t better, I won’t be going. “I just want to do my bit in trying to get the word out that things might not be as good as they seem.” Read More Experts warn of ‘life-long’ effects of nail gel polish Fit and healthy father diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer reveals first warning sign Four bowel cancer symptoms that can show two years before diagnosis Mother left ‘looking like Freddy Krueger’ reveals first skin cancer warning sign Mum put on life support after infected finger led to ‘devastating’ diagnosis Age-defying pensioner shares two simple secrets to her youthful appearance

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ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 21, 2023--

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