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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/jun/14/firefox-add-on-internet-nsa
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Firefox add-on warns internet users of the dark side of the NSA | Firefox add-on warns internet users of the dark side of the NSA |
(4 months later) | |
Dark Side of the Prism from Justin Blinder on Vimeo. | Dark Side of the Prism from Justin Blinder on Vimeo. |
Privacy-conscious fans of Pink Floyd may never use the internet in the same way again. | Privacy-conscious fans of Pink Floyd may never use the internet in the same way again. |
A new Firefox add-on, dubbed Dark Side of the Prism, automatically plays tracks from the seminal 1973 album whenever a user visits sites, such as Google or Facebook, embroiled in the scandal over the National Security Agency's (NSA) snooping programme. | A new Firefox add-on, dubbed Dark Side of the Prism, automatically plays tracks from the seminal 1973 album whenever a user visits sites, such as Google or Facebook, embroiled in the scandal over the National Security Agency's (NSA) snooping programme. |
For example, users visiting Guardiannews.com would not hear any beguiling psychedelic rock. But those surfing Bing, Google, Facebook or Yahoo would be served up a healthy dose of Floyd noise. | For example, users visiting Guardiannews.com would not hear any beguiling psychedelic rock. But those surfing Bing, Google, Facebook or Yahoo would be served up a healthy dose of Floyd noise. |
The idea – according to its creator, 28-year-old developer and artist Justin Blinder – was to "create some sort of ambient notification that you are on a site that is being surveiled by the NSA." | The idea – according to its creator, 28-year-old developer and artist Justin Blinder – was to "create some sort of ambient notification that you are on a site that is being surveiled by the NSA." |
About 50 people have downloaded the add-on in the few days since it was released, he says. It only took four hours to build from his makeshift office in New York. | About 50 people have downloaded the add-on in the few days since it was released, he says. It only took four hours to build from his makeshift office in New York. |
"I was really interested in the fact that, although the Prism leaks were a shock to many of us, we pretty much already kind of know we're being surveiled a lot of the time and giving away so much data," he says. | "I was really interested in the fact that, although the Prism leaks were a shock to many of us, we pretty much already kind of know we're being surveiled a lot of the time and giving away so much data," he says. |
Why did he choose Pink Floyd for the backing track? "I just Googled 'Prism' and the [Dark Side of the Moon] cover came up," he says, and because the music is unintrusive. "I didnt want it to be too jarring because a lot of us seem to be giving in to being surveiled on a daily basis. I feel like people already know that. I didn't want it to be alarming." | Why did he choose Pink Floyd for the backing track? "I just Googled 'Prism' and the [Dark Side of the Moon] cover came up," he says, and because the music is unintrusive. "I didnt want it to be too jarring because a lot of us seem to be giving in to being surveiled on a daily basis. I feel like people already know that. I didn't want it to be alarming." |
Blinder now hopes Floyd fans will help match Dark Side of the Moon songs to appropriate internet firms. "On the run", anyone? | Blinder now hopes Floyd fans will help match Dark Side of the Moon songs to appropriate internet firms. "On the run", anyone? |
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