Dystopian Masks Resembling Your Face Let You Unlock Face ID Easily & Safely
Image via Face ID Masks
With the COVID-19 epidemic at large, a new startup developed by Danielle Baskin has unveiled N95 respiratory masks with human faces printed on them to “work with facial recognition software.”
The Face ID-compatible respirator masks are the first of many “trendy dystopian products” promised by Baskin’s new company, Resting Risk Face. The medical masks aim to protect users from infections while overlapping facial features so users can easily unlock software like iPhones’ Face ID.
“Unlock your devices with a surgical mask that looks just like you,” the website reads.
In order to have your very own face on the surgical mask, you’ll need to upload a photo of your face on the website and patiently wait for an email to be sent to you.
Answering a question about whether this was a joke, the website responds, “Yes. No. We're not sure.” It then informs visitors to wash their hands regularly and get vaccines, and that viruses should not be taken as a joke.
“Gorgeously layered levels of dystopia,” The New Yorker’s food correspondent Helen Rosner commented.
The company encourages those who “enjoy late stage capitalism” to get their hands on the masks for US$40 each, even though they are still under development.
Baskin shared on Twitter that the masks do not have a launch date, and will not be available during a global mask shortage. The website provides a waitlist for those interested to get the literal face masks in the meantime.
Made this service that prints your face on an N95 mask, so you can protect people from viral epidemics while still being able to unlock your phone.
— Danielle Baskin (@djbaskin) February 15, 2020
😷+👃🏻👃🏽👃🏿👄=🔓https://t.co/SXslSjoiMz pic.twitter.com/rByMBwdPB8
gorgeously layered levels of dystopia https://t.co/28UHguWwrE
— Helen Rosner (@hels) February 16, 2020
Other uses for selfie masks that folks have mentioned, besides unlocking your phone.
— Danielle Baskin (@djbaskin) February 16, 2020
- Anti-surveillance tech (if using a different face)
- Adds whimsy to the sterility of hospitals
- If you're sick (or breathing smoke), you might be more likely to wear a mask if it looks "cool"
To all those inquiring: No, I don't have plans to produce these *during* the global mask shortage. There's a waitlist and no launch date.
— Danielle Baskin (@djbaskin) February 16, 2020
Does anyone have a recommendation on how someone eager to drop cash on a novelty mask can help? An organization that donates supplies?
This seems entirely appropriate levels of creepy for this dystopia we are heading into.
— Paul Potiki (@GuanoLad) February 16, 2020
This is brilliant and sad at the same time :(
— AdmiralSAS ☃️ (@AdmiralSAS) February 15, 2020
[via Mashable, cover image via Face ID Masks]
