Sousveillance: Inventing and Using Wearable Computing Devices to Challenge Surveillance
By: Steve Mann, Jason Nolan, and Barry Wellman
Forthcoming

Abstract


 
  This paper explores using wearble computing devices to perform "sousveillance" (inverse surveillance) as a counter to organizational surveillance. A series of performances are used to question social norms of surveillance. A variety of wearable computing inventions generated different kinds of responses. Visible sousveillance often evoked counter-performances by front-line surveillance workers. The juxtaposition of sousveillance with surveillance generates participatory awareness of the ubiquitous presence and acceptance of surveillance in society.