'Hacktivists' to release covert communications tool

An international group of "hacktivists" says it is about to release a computer program designed to let political dissidents communicate via the internet without fear of government eavesdropping.

Hacktivismo, an international group of programmers and activists, says the program, named Camera/Shy, will make it simple to bury encrypted information in innocuous-looking images that can then be shared over the internet. Those with the same program will then be able to automatically detect and extract concealed information.

Anyone monitoring the internet for subversive activity will only see apparently ordinary images. Hacktivismo says Camera/Shy will also use encryption, suggesting keys will be needed to reveal secret information in full.

Founder Hacktivismo member, Oxblood Ruffin says: "Although not all of us are Americans, we share the fundamental ideals of the Constitution of the United States, especially freedom of speech. Camera/Shy is a small first step in sharing that privilege."