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Belgian Artist Creates Instagram Surveillance Tool
The latest project from artist Dries Depoorter is called “The Follower”, and it’s a frightening glimpse into the world of public surveillance.
How often have you or your friends posed for an Instagram photo in public? Whether you’re on vacation or fooling around outside your favorite restaurant, we’re guessing the answer is most likely “a lot”. Well, if that’s the case, you might just end up as a subject in artist Dries Depoorter’s latest project, called “The Follower”.
The sinister-sounding creation was born after Depoorter noticed someone taking a lot of public Instagram shots:
“One day, I saw a person taking photos for like 20 minutes, and I was trying to find them on Instagram a day later without much success. That’s when I started building the software,” says Depoorter.
Thanks to the facial recognition software built by Depoorter, which crawls through footage from open webcams live streaming in public spaces, he quickly found a video of the Instagrammer in question when he posted shots onto the Meta-owned platform later that day.
The project is a fascinating (and terrifying) glimpse into how much information can be gathered using modern software — especially as the artist only had access to publicly available cameras. Depoorter’s work highlights the sheer scale of the world’s surveillance network and the enormous volumes of data we give away daily for AI bots to analyze.
Also Read: How To Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account
Depoorter has a history of projects like “The Follower”. In 2021, he created a similar piece of software that scanned the live streams of Flemish government meetings, using AI to search for politicians scrolling through their smartphones out of apparent boredom. The project was known as “The Flemish Scrollers” and automatically tagged the targets via Twitter.
As Depoorter points out, he isn’t the only one with access to these cameras, and it’s genuinely scary to imagine the surveillance tools the world’s government agencies have at their disposal. Next time you take selfies in a public place, check over your shoulder — you might be being watched!
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Alienware Just Announced Six New Gaming Monitors
The new models include three QD-OLED and three budget-friendly QHD options, expanding the company’s lineup for all gamers.
Alienware has just updated its gaming monitor lineup with six new additions, including the highly anticipated Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Monitor. The latest wave of releases is set to reach more gamers than ever, offering high-end QD-OLED displays alongside more budget-friendly options.
The latest displays clearly show that the company is doubling down on QD-OLED with three new models sporting the technology. A redesigned Alienware 34 Ultra-Wide QD-OLED Monitor is also making a return, further refining what is already a fan-favorite display.
A Unified Design: The AW30 Aesthetic
All six monitors feature Alienware’s new AW30 design language, first introduced at CES. The AW30 aesthetic brings a futuristic, minimalist look that unites the entire lineup under a cohesive visual identity.
Pushing QD-OLED Even Further
The refreshed Alienware 34 Ultra-Wide QD-OLED Monitor (AW3425DW) builds on its predecessor’s success with a 240Hz refresh rate (up from 175Hz) and HDMI 2.1 FRL support. It also gains G-SYNC Compatible certification alongside AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VESA AdaptiveSync, ensuring ultra-smooth performance. With a WQHD (3440×1440) resolution and an 1800R curve, this display enhances immersion for both gaming and cinematic experiences.
For those who crave speed, the Alienware 27 280Hz QD-OLED Monitor (AW2725D) pairs a high refresh rate with QHD resolution, balancing sharp visuals with ultra-smooth gameplay. Meanwhile, the Alienware 27 4K QD-OLED Monitor (AW2725Q) delivers stunning clarity with an industry-leading pixel density of 166 PPI, making it the sharpest OLED or QD-OLED monitor available.
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Worried about OLED burn-in? Alienware’s entire QD-OLED lineup comes with a three-year limited warranty covering burn-in concerns, offering peace of mind for gamers investing in these high-end displays.
Bringing QHD To A Wider Audience
Alongside QD-OLED, Alienware is also releasing three new QHD gaming monitors aimed at more price-conscious gamers. The Alienware 34 Gaming Monitor (AW3425DWM), Alienware 32 Gaming Monitor (AW3225DM), and Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2725DM) provide a range of sizes and formats to suit different preferences:
- The Alienware 34 Gaming Monitor (AW3425DWM): An ultrawide (WQHD) option for a panoramic, immersive experience.
- The Alienware 32 Gaming Monitor (AW3225DM): A standard 16:9 panel for a traditional but expansive desktop setup.
- The Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor (AW2725DM): A 27” display offering the same performance in a more compact form factor.
All three gaming monitors feature a fast 180 Hz refresh rate, a 1ms gray-to-gray response time, and support for NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD FreeSync, and VESA AdaptiveSync to eliminate screen tearing. Additionally, with 95% DCI-P3 color coverage and VESA DisplayHDR400 certification, these displays deliver vibrant colors and high dynamic range for lifelike visuals.
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