The Intercept reports that in a move that has both intrigued tech enthusiasts and alarmed privacy advocates, the U.S. federal government has invested $22 million in the development of SMART ePANTS, which stands for “Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems.” Managed by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the intelligence counterpart to the more widely-known Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), this initiative aims to create wearable technology that can record audio, video, and geolocation data. The garments under development include everyday clothing items such as shirts, pants, socks, and underwear, all designed to be washable for everyday use.
“A lot of the IARPA and DARPA programs are like throwing spaghetti against the refrigerator,” said Annie Jacobsen, author of a book about DARPA. “It may or may not stick.”
Oh boy isn't it fun how our money is spent?
Honestly though, that's research for you. You never know what will come of it, so it's good to try a lot of different paths
The tech isn't necessarily the problem, it's how it's going to be used. Is it going to be used against dissidents or to arrest cartel members?