Check Your Underwear: Government Surveillance Project To Record 'Your Every Move'

The U.S. government is investing millions in wearable technology designed to track your every move.

Try This On For Size: The federal government has invested at least $22 million into developing smart clothing that can spy on people and locations.

The smart clothing products are part of a program the government is calling Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems, also known by the name SMART ePANTS.

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The government intends to develop shirts, pants, socks and underwear that are capable of recording audio, video and geolocation data.

The program was officially unveiled in a press release last month. The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) division of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said the program aims to "make performance-grade, computerized clothing a reality" and represents the single largest investment into Active Smart Textiles.

If that doesn't make your skin crawl, what will? Apparently, not the computerized clothing — at least it's not supposed to. Business Insider reported that the government aims to develop underwear that appears and performs just like normal undergarments, but "can also record your every move."

In a separate press release from July, SMART ePANTS program manager Dawson Cagle stressed the importance of developing smart clothing that is indistinguishable from regular clothes. 

"Making smart clothing with the same 'feel' as regular clothing is critical for SMART ePANTS' success," Cagle said.

"This means sensors need to be integrated in such a way that the AST garment is just as stretchable, bendable, and supple as a comparable garment containing no electronics."

The program will be launched in three phases including a proof of concept phase called "build it," a "wear it" phase and finally a "wash it" phase. The government expects it to significantly improve the capabilities of agencies like the Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency and Department Of Homeland Security.

"We’ve moved computers into our smartphones. This is the chance to move computers into our clothing," Cagle added.

Smartphone maker Apple Inc AAPL is expected to release its latest iPhone on Sept. 12 during its "Wonderlust" launch event.

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Photo: RAEng_Publications from Pixabay.