At CypherCon 6.0, an annual hacker conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cory kujawski and Jonathan Tomek unveiled their unique project, Cameras.icu. Developed in their spare time, this automated system tracks people through public webcams and uses facial recognition to identify them. The duo then cross-referenced this data with public social media profiles, showing how easy it is to track individuals online.
Their project demonstrates the capabilities of modern surveillance tools, highlighting how accessible technologies like webcams and AI can be used to monitor people’s behaviors. With a mix of curiosity and technical skill, Kujawski and Tomek were able to find individuals on social media based on public webcam footage. The results, they shared, were both interesting and amusing, pointing to the ease with which public data can be exploited.
They also explored the broader implications of combining cameras and AI for tracking, suggesting that such technologies could be expanded further in the future. Though much of their presentation was lighthearted, it raised important questions about privacy, ethics, and the growing role of AI in surveillance.
One of the key takeaways from the presentation was their decision to share the code they used. This open-source approach encourages others in the hacking and tech community to learn from, adapt, and improve on their work. By making this technology accessible, Kujawski and Tomek hope to inspire more innovation and spark conversations around the responsible use of such systems.
CypherCon is known for bringing together over 1,500 cybersecurity professionals, hackers, and enthusiasts each spring. With projects like Cameras.icu, the event fosters a culture of learning, experimentation, and collaboration. Kujawski and Tomek’s presentation showcased what can be achieved with limited time and resources, offering a glimpse into the future of surveillance and AI.
