Over time, mobile technologies have been of increasing utility for researchers working in the field.   While the range and size of devices has improved, there are still major hurdles to full, secure use by researchers, including confidentiality, data encryption, and security. We propose a customized open source hardware device that will address these issues, and one that can support media outreach by unleashing the potential of new web-based tools and software.

BUG4Good consists of 3 components:

1)      Information guidelines: Provided by Human Rights Watch, these multimedia documents will provide ethical benchmarks for the management of information, including acceptable evidence for legal proceedings, and instances where ongoing documentation is needed.

2)      Data collection device: BUG4good is a handheld device designed to allow acquisition of information (pictures, sound, video, various sensor recordings, etc.), to store it securely on the device until it is ready to be offloaded, and then to transmit it via a secure wired or wireless network connection when one becomes available.     Goals are:

• To simplify the process of evidence-gathering including automated and timed data collection;
• Provide security for researchers, journalists, and witnesses;
• After piloting, other functionalities such as remote sensing, odor processing, and timed data erasing may be researched/enabled.

3)      Data management and visualization: Based on open source, these cross-browser/cross-device tools will allow researchers to:

• Provide fast imagery and multimedia for advocacy, media, and outreach work;
• Build a database of multi-format data that can be crossed with public and private data sources for the detection of patterns, trends, and inconsistencies; and
• Provide an ontology-ready setting for semantic-based knowledge discovery and research support.

3 case scenarios

A foreign correspondent working in Tyrannia finds a reliable source of information. The source requires confidentiality, as he fears repressive response from the authorities.   The journalist requires a handheld device that will not distract from the interview process while protecting both the information received and the interviewee.   There is strong interest in the story back in New York, where the editor's deadline is at midnight.   There is no safe or unmonitored connection to the Internet available and plain-clothes police have followed the reporter and monitored his activities in recent days.  

An international human rights country researcher is working a remote area of Tyrannia in an emergency situation. Paramilitary forces have recently attacked a village. The researcher has been working on the area for several years and knows that evidence will be removed and comprised by "accidental" fires, with the local citizens blamed. The researcher decides to travel to the area in order to collect documentary evidence of the attack as well as past abuses. This data will feed into broader research being done on the area. Due to the dodgy security environment, the researcher must travel only in daylight, and will have limited time and equipment.  

 
A local activist in Tyrannia is documenting a peaceful demonstration about recent human rights violations in her country. Suddenly a provocateur starts a fight and the government forces impose "order" by violently repressing the crowd. The activist needs to document the repression, as she is aware of a US Congressional hearing on free expression in Washington later that week. GPS imagery and video of the crackdown on peaceful protesters could lead to a Congressional resolution.  

These are three separate by interconnected constituencies, who all have need for efficient, fully secure and effective communications technologies.   In each case, BUG4Good can facilitate the transmission of data in a secure way for evidence, and in a safe way for the individuals involved   (who are already engaged in work that is in some cases life-threatening). The information will be able to be used in a short timeframe, as it will be automatically saved in remote (and therefore secure) locations. The storage of information in an ontology-ready database could ultimately facilitate the knowledge discovery benefits of the semantic web. The collaborative data management tools will facilitate research on archival materials as well as pattern or trend-based discoveries. Finally, data visualization could provide an easy and powerful way to engage the global public and maximize the impact of media outreach.

Tech and Usage Description:

This programmable smart camera/sensor device can have any number of useful real-world applications, but its primary design is based around the support of field agents recording and reporting human rights violations in hostile environments where the information on the device could be used against the reporter by unjust governments or organizations in positions of power.

Encryption of all recorded data allows for the device to be used in hostile environments where interception of the device and/or its data may compromise the reporter and/or the source of the information.   All encryption of the data on the device will utilize public/private key pairs whenever possible.   A public (encrypting) key will reside on any number of BUG4good devices, and a single private (decrypting) key will be held at the secure location where the BUG4good ultimately transmits its data.   The public key can only be used to encrypt data, which can then only be decrypted via the secured private key.   Interception of a BUG4good device by a hostile third party results only in loss of the physical device, and does not compromise any of the data it contains.

The device is composed of:

• Hardware: BUGbase + BUGcam2MP + BUGlocate
• Software: BUG4good BUGapp + BUGlinux open source operating system

How does BUG4good work on the field?

• Reporter initializes the BUG4good device.
• Attach appropriate modules
• Software loads automatically
• Reporter takes a picture with BUG4good.   Picture remains on screen for up to 30 seconds, during which time Reporter can choose to encrypt and save the image or securely delete the image.
• If reporter does not take action within 30 seconds, the image is securely deleted.
• If reporter saves the image, it is geo-tagged and encrypted and placed in a queue to be uploaded when network connectivity becomes available.
• Reporter may take several pictures, for batch upload.
• Reporter chooses to upload images (attaching appropriate network BUGmodule if necessary).
• Encrypted images are uploaded via a network connection which is also SSL encrypted.
• Each encrypted image is immediately deleted from the device as it is uploaded.

Once the content is uploaded, the information will be safe and available for primary research teams. The steps to validate the information are:

• Log into web page.
• See new content posted.
• Download encrypted content.
• Decrypt with private key.
• Store and Tag data in Collaborative platform
• Share the content with granular permissions and differentiated visualization and depth with researchers, partners, media, and general public.

Supporting material

Human Rights Watch work:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlrQ5CTO4c4&feature=channel_page
• http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/464816
• http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/01/10/israel-stop-unlawful-use-white-pho...

BUGlabs base and modules:

• http://www.buglabs.net
• http://www.buglabs.net/bugbase
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-okyvLItyY&feature=related

Data visualization and collaborative data processing:

• http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/features/afghanistan_tic/index.html
• http://www.enriquepiraces.com/qantati/maproom/index.html [To see this working try to open 2 browser windows and log in with 2 different users]
• http://www.enriquepiraces.com/qantati/incidentsDB/IncidentsBrowsing.html