Room 47 – A Unique IoT and Surveillance Experiment

The Challenge

In today's interconnected world, thousands of IP webcams are unwittingly exposed on the internet, often without their owners' knowledge.

This phenomenon raises critical questions about privacy and control in the digital age.

Inspired by Philip K. Dick's poignant inquiry in "A Scanner Darkly," I embarked on a journey to explore these themes:

"What does a scanner see? he asked himself. I mean, really see? Into the head? Down into the heart? Does a passive infrared scanner like they used to use or a cube-type holo-scanner like they use these days, the latest thing, see into me - into us - clearly or darkly?" ― Philip K. Dick, A Scanner Darkly

My aim was to delve into the psychological and philosophical aspects of privacy in our modern, internet-connected era.

The Solution

To address this challenge, I initiated "Room 47" a creative project that combines the modern technology of IoT devices with a deeper understanding of privacy issues.

Using Node.js, I developed a method to scrape data from search engines and parse it to identify publicly accessible cameras.

This experiment cycles through various live public webcams, placing the viewer in the unexpected role of a voyeur.

Room 47 is not just a technical showcase but also a commentary on the state of privacy and surveillance in our contemporary society.

This project demonstrates my ability to merge technical skills with critical thinking, addressing relevant societal issues through innovative technological means.