Locate Surveillance Cameras With Your Phone

Ever get the feeling you're being watched? Chances are you're probably right, but now you can be certain with the new crowdsourcing camera-mapping app, Surv.

 How it works

This camera-spying tool combines user input and technology to create maps with detailed descriptions of different types of surveillance cameras, their locations, and what they're used for, no matter if they're simple traffic cameras, red-light cameras, or well-hidden police cameras. The app encourages users to post locations of cameras in their cities along with a description, and if they're within a 100-meter radius of your smartphone, Surv will detect them, as long as they're outside.

Screenshots of the new camera detecting app, Surv. Image via kickstarter.com.

Who it will benefit

Aside from those who'd like to dodge security cameras for personal reasons or acknowledge their presence for safety reassurance, police officers in particular are anticipating the release of this handy new app. Designed after its creators, Kaza Razat and Khalid Mills, noticed that law enforcement agencies had low access to this kind of information, Surv stands out as a brilliant idea that can give just about everyone some peace of mind. Most importantly, knowing where certain surveillance cameras are located can make it easier for police to investigate crime.

How to use it

Since Razat and Mills are former game developers, Surv, which is currently raising money for a wider release on Kickstarter, won't be without some gaming aspects. The app already includes a leaderboard showing which users have input the most cameras and where. Once you map 10 locations, you unlock an invitation to recruit someone else into the crowd. The idea of the technology is to keep the community of users somewhat exclusive at first, so that Surv doesn't get into the wrong hands, such as someone who might create fake postings. The app will be ready to use once it's further developed and all legal issues are addressed.

Now that we can keep an eye on surveillance cameras as we load up the car with groceries or innocently stroll down the sidewalk, we just need an app that lets us privately view our own electronic data.

App details

Surv is currently unavailable to the public, but will be coming to the App store and Google Play soon. Want to know more? Watch the video below or visit survapp.co.

Video via Kickstarter.  

What do you think of this app? Will it benefit you? Do you think it will be used for illegal purposes? Leave a comment below.  

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