Spies in Your Underwear: U.S. Intelligence Invests $22 Million in ‘Smart ePANTS’
Intelligence Agencies Invest in “Smart” Clothing for Enhanced Surveillance of Civilians
In a surprising move that feels like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is funneling a whopping $22 million of taxpayer money into the development of a remarkable project they’re calling “SMART ePANTS.”
This ambitious endeavor aims to revolutionize wearable technology by creating clothing that not only adorns you but also serves as a stealthy surveillance tool, capable of recording audio, video, and geolocation data.
Move over smartwatches and fitness tracking rings; the intelligence community is setting its sights on a new horizon of wearable tech: ePANTS.
While the concept may seem far-fetched, it aligns perfectly with the government’s objectives of surveillance and data collection, which have been at the core of their initiatives for years.
Described as the “largest single investment to develop Active Smart Textiles,” the SMART ePANTS (Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems) program is all about creating garments that blend seamlessly with your daily attire while stealthily gathering crucial data.
The clothing lineup includes shirts, pants, socks, and yes, even underwear – all designed to withstand regular wash cycles.
Behind the Scenes: The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)
The driving force behind this endeavor is the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the intelligence community’s equivalent of the famed Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
IARPA specializes in funding high-risk, high-reward projects aimed at tackling intelligence-related challenges.
Their track record includes groundbreaking successes like Nobel Prize-winning research in quantum computing, as well as costly setbacks.
Annie Jacobsen, author of “The Pentagon’s Brain,” likened their approach to throwing spaghetti at the refrigerator – some sticks, and some don’t.
The goal of SMART ePANTS, as stated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, is not only surveillance but also to assist personnel and first responders in high-stress environments, such as crime scenes and arms control inspections, without hindering their ability to operate efficiently and safely.
Where Does the Money Go?
IARPA has awarded contracts for the SMART ePANTS program to five entities, including defense contractors Nautilus Defense and Leidos, each receiving multimillion-dollar contracts.
While the Pentagon disclosed the values of these contracts, they’ve kept mum about the details of agreements with the other three entities: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, SRI International, and Areté.
Nicole de Haay, an IARPA spokesperson, explained, “IARPA does not publicly disclose our funding numbers,” keeping the full scope of their financial commitments under wraps.
The Vision Behind SMART ePANTS
Dawson Cagle, the IARPA program manager leading SMART ePANTS, draws from his experience as a former United Nations weapons inspector in Iraq.
He understands the importance of unencumbered mobility in high-stress environments.
“In unknown environments, I’d rather have my hands free to grab ladders and handrails more firmly and keep from hitting my head than holding some device,” Cagle remarked.
Not the First Venture into High-Tech Wearables
SMART ePANTS isn’t the first high-tech venture for the national security community.
In 2013, Adm. William McRaven, then-commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, introduced the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS).
This ambitious project aimed to develop a powered exoskeleton “supersuit” akin to those seen in sci-fi movies.
While it drew comparisons to characters like Iron Man and the futuristic technology in “Elysium,” TALOS was ultimately discontinued in 2019 after accumulating a staggering $80 million in costs without a demonstrable prototype.
Potential for New Forms of Surveillance
As SMART ePANTS takes shape over the next three and a half years, experts like Annie Jacobsen warn of potential privacy concerns.
With the ability to detect chemicals on the skin, these smart wearables could usher in invasive forms of biometric surveillance.
Jacobsen points out, “They’re now in a position of serious authority over you. In TSA, they can swab your hands for explosives. Now suppose SMART ePANTS detects a chemical on your skin – imagine where that can lead.”
IARPA emphasizes that their programs adhere to strict civil liberties and privacy protection protocols.
They conduct compliance reviews throughout their research efforts to ensure they strike the right balance between innovation and individual rights.
Private Industry’s Interest in Smart Clothing
Interestingly, it’s not just the intelligence community showing interest in smart clothing.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, is actively seeking researchers with expertise in smart textiles and electronics integration for soft and flexible systems.
It seems the private sector is also eyeing the potential of this burgeoning field.
Spying on a Grand Scale
In the realm of espionage, grand investments in groundbreaking technology are not unheard of.
The CIA’s venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel, made headlines by investing in Colossal Biosciences, a “wooly mammoth resurrection startup”.
These ventures remind us that the world of intelligence is ever-evolving, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
If SMART ePANTS succeeds, it could become a powerful tool in IARPA’s arsenal, propelling them towards their goal of creating vast intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
As Annie Jacobsen aptly puts it, “They want to know more about you than you.”
In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the intersection of fashion and surveillance is just another step towards an uncertain future.
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The Intercept
