Optik headset, implanted in the right temple.
- â Integrated AR for a more integrated lifestyleâ
- ―Blume advertisement
Optik is a Blume AR headset in Watch Dogs: Legion. [1]
Background[]
Introduced by Blume across the world as a next generation of personal computing devices, the Optik consists of a surgically implanted on the user's temple, directly interfacing with the optic nerve to create an augmented reality environment, and a small handheld device that acts as the base station. The Optik quickly replaced regular smartphones, as it allowed users to read and type emails, browse the Internet, take calls, send messages, and everything else without the need to take the device out of the user's pocket. There was no need for a keyboard or any other interface with the Optik, making it one of the most convenient pieces of hardware in human history. Bolstering its usefulness was the ability to make payments, use public transport, receive treatment, and even cross borders without the need for physical cash or documentation.[2]
To ensure widespread adoption, Blume flooded the market with the devices, available free of charge with free wireless Internet and phone plans. This move ensured that the vast majority of consumers have readily obtained an Optik, ignoring the vast privacy issues inherent to a device that not only accesses, but processes everything the user sees and does, streaming data to Blume's servers.[2] This streaming functionality is necessary, as Optiks alone do not have the processing power necessary to process the data or provide the second, crucial element of Optik: Bagley, a service artificial intelligence that was created by Broca Tech and implemented in Optiks in a joint venture.[3] Unlike pseudo-AIs (trained on vast amounts of data, but routinely failing to provide useful results), Bagley was capable of genuine thought, which combined with the vast amounts of data owned by Blume allowed it to become a genuinely useful companion/tool for any Optik user, automatically answering messages, providing real-time information on pretty much any topic, and assist users in a multitude of other ways.[4]
Storing and processing this data was perfectly legal, as the use of Optik required agreeing to Blume's terms and conditions, which were deliberately written to give the appearance of respecting user privacy, but in reality, allowed anyone with CTOS administrative access to access virtually all information about a given user: All friends and associates, leisure activities, jobs, and their location at any given time. The only safeguard was Blume's word.[5]
The horrific potential of this technology became apparent following Brexit and the terrorist attacks blamed on DedSec, when the British government passed legislation making Optiks mandatory for the entire population (which primarily served to force holdouts into acquiring Optiks, as they were already commonly used)[2] with failure to carry the full set on your person a criminal offence.[6][7] Similarly, not updating Optik firmware,[8][9][10] using unlicensed/3rd party firmware, or merely installing unauthorized software or otherwise modifying the state-issued Optik also constituted criminal offenses.[11][12][13] It goes without saying that any attempts to block tracking or CTOS monitoring were also made illegal.[14] This was enforced by an obligation to present Optiks to security personnel for inspection whenever they demanded.[15] This rule was actually included in the Optik terms of use, and accepting it mandaded cooperation.[16]
Although by 2029 Blume was rolling out Optik 4 in Singapore, Optiks issued by the British government were last generation hardware that was already outdated when it was handed out.[17] The "generosity" of just handing out Optiks even without the legal mandate raised suspicion in some circles,[18] especially after Brexit destroyed the British economy together with successive crises.[19] This has led to a numer of conspiracy theories emerging, which distracted from the real issue, such as Optiks being used for monitoring ongoing medical experiments[20] or eugenics.[21]
After DedSec defeated Zero Day, the United Nations decided to ban Optiks as a mandatory tool.
Functionality[]
Implanting the device on the right temple taps directly into the optical nerve of the user,[2] creating a seamless augmented reality display that's always on, and can be configured and tailored to the user's preferences. By reducing the interval between input and output to near zero, it has erased the boundary between the digital and physical world - something that didn't seem possible when Blume experimented with the first Optik prototypes, bulky and inefficient.[22][23] The likely endpoint of Optik's development was eventual integration with the implant, shedding the need for a handheld device entirely.[24] However, in 2029, Optiks rely on the implant and a small handheld device (containing the SIM card, usually from KOM1 Mobile),[25] limited in its performance by design. These could be easily disabled with DIY tutorials - although technically a criminal offense, users could easily achieve higher CPU speeds, resolution, and other benefits.[26]
From the user's perspective, Optiks offer the ability to browse the web, receive and send messages unimpeded, and Bagley integration at a minimum. They can also expedite treatment by storing the user's entire health history locally, allowing them to receive treatment anywhere,[27] expedite financial transactions,[28] make identification trivial,[29] and theoretically enhance personal security thanks to biometric tracking around the clock.[30][31] All of this is achieved by "conveniently" storing all personal, health, and financial records in the Optik.[32]
Optiks can be expanded with additional functionality as Blume rolls out new apps or accepts those made by third party developers. These include speech-to-text transcription for the hearing impaired (building on the original idea implemented by play houses)[33][34] and simultanous translation (a particularly expensive service with a 24 hour trial).[35] More exotic, but legal uses include AR pornography[36] and sex shows, which proliferated in crisis-stricken London. This ubiquitous utility, combined with the eventual legal obligation to carry one, led to widespread adoption[37] and market penetration, with likely development of more AR markets, in particular gaming.[38]
Bagley's access to virtually unlimited amounts of information about any individual allowed for cross-referencing data, sometimes with odd results - such as when one of the black cabs suggested listening to a playlist their mother listened to on her last ride.[39]
Vulnerabilities[]
Officially, Optiks were declared to be safe and secure by Blume, much like CTOS itself, and thus fit for storing someone's entire life and personal details. In practice, anyone using the mandated, base firmware was making themselves incredibly vulnerable.[40] The least of the threats was an adware infestation, which spammed Optiks with pop-ups (eg. for porn sites).[41] Spam by entities like Albion was not filtered and delivered to users around the clock, with zero limits.[42] On the flipside, Albion Optiks were just as vulnerable, allowing hackers to short-circuit the device and stun the user for a limited time.[43]
Despite corporate claims of security, greater issues were present: Identity theft was easy to achieve,[44] with stolen Optik IDs used by criminals to conceal their identity while committing crimes, leaving the original owners at the mercy of Albion. Even if they managed to clear their name (which can take hours), they will remain flagged in security databases and run an increased risk of controls and checks.[45] Some bitterly noted that the only way to survive London was to use a stolen Optik entirely, especially since Albion contractors usually only scanned the ID, without performing more than a cursory check.[46]
The lack of security allowed for destroying entire lives in moments. The sheer amount of data processed by the device allow for a hacker to obtain blackmail with ease or empty bank accounts in under an hour. Even with nominally illegal security measures like using fake personal details and VPNs only provided a measure of protection.[47][48] The only way of protecting oneself was to break the law and jailbreak the Optik. The design of the device made it trivial to hack it, with an underground market for hacking and modifications exploding. Optiks could literally be hacked in under a minute, hardening them against SIRS surveillance.[49] While Albion took some measures to try and infiltrate the environment to make arrests, it had limited success.[50] However, the only way to truly secure an Optik was to go beyond mere modification of the base model and crack it to completely encrypt the signal[2] and use a pirated version of Bagley that bypasses CTOS surveillance.[4] Only DedSec has managed to achieve this at scale, and such cracked Optiks are considered dead giveaways that a person belongs to the movement.[51] In fact, concerns about security have driven people to join DedSec.[52][53]
Finally, Optiks are notoriously flimsy and easy to damage,[54] and pollute the environment: Any damaged Optiks are not recycled, but simply dumped in landfills.[55] Replacements are simply handed out, with temporary Optiks provided in case of damage.[56]
Abuse[]
An example of anti-Optik graffiti pasted across London.
While tightly integrated with [[CTOS 3.0]], Optiks do not interfere with digital activities of their users, with some taking it for evidence that the system isn't tracking them or can't handle them.[57] However, unhacked Optiks remain always on, feeding data to Blume and its partners-in-crimes-against-humanity, such as SIRS and Albion. The constant location monitoring, coupled with Blume's data hoards allowed for an unparalleled level of surveillance. Unable to process data by hand, much of it was delegated to automated systems, leading to widespread abuse. For example, SIRS could flag someone as associating with a registered child sex offender merely because their Optik happened to be located in the vicinity of places visited by said offender (even if it occurred randomly over the course of several days),[58] while the agency itself would routinely arrest and torture people with hacked Optiks for suspected DedSec ties.[59] Albion's systems could automatically flag people for deportation and placement in the EPC concentration camp merely because they passed within 500 meters of locations designated as restricted - be they the EPC itself or a site of an ongoing Albion operation. This was particularly difficult for people not possessing full citizenship status, who could unknowingly break the law merely by taking a walk.[60]
Clan Kelley had their own take on Optiks, using them to track slave labor, plant backdoors to keep their victims compliant, and of course monitor any and all members for disloyalty or deviations, punished hard.[61]
However, the same technology that enabled this abuse also allowed for fighting against it. Scraping Optik and CTOS data paved the way for AR reconstruction,[62] which was essential for DedSec London's fight to retake the city. Carelessness by Albion and SIRS employees and contractors more than once allowed for procuring essential leads and evidence to hamstring their operatives,[63] while the pirated Bagley used by DedSec could process and reconstruct data with such fidelity that it spooked even DedSec operatives.[64]
Trivia[]
- The Optik prototype (Optik 0.1) found by collecting relics resembles a bulky version of the Google Glass.
- According to dialogue by civilians, Singapore has a more advanced version of the Optik, Optik 4.0.
- Additionally, Mina Sidhu possesses a more advanced version, the OMNI Optik, that allows her to perform mind control.
- As seen in the Tech section, the Optik is the source of many of DedSec's gadgets, such as the AR Cloak.
References[]
- â Connie Robinson: "I knew it. Cadwell's been sending money to some private account, must be the Kelleys. If I can just trace the account number to find the associated Optik ID and... got it. I'm sending you the current location of that Kelley account holder."
- â 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Upload: Opting Out of Optik: "Vicky: Hello and welcome to today's episode of The Upload. We're talking about the OPTIK, and how it's changed our lives. Now as you remember, BLUME announced a new version of the OPTIK at the recent TOAN conference. But we havenât heard too much about that since due to the dramatic events there. Letâs cast our minds back and consider the technology. I mean, the OPTIK changed everything. It lets you see things in AR â you no longer need a smartphone! You just have a small implant that sends signals to your optic nerve and lets you see your emails, take calls, and browse the internet directly as if the screen was in front of your eyes. Instead of having to carry around a phone, youâve just got the small handheld unit. So much lighter, and so much more convenient â itâs great!"
Matt: "Vicky, you sound like you absolutely love the OPTIK. Do you actually think that itâs made our lives any better?"
Vicky: "I mean sure, itâs definitely made things a lot easier! Itâs so simple to call someone now, all you have to do is choose who you want to chat to and theyâre there, ready to talk. And browsing the web is so much easier. I remember when you used to have to sit down at a computer, with an actual keyboard and mouse, and type everything out. My favourite feature is public transport â with the OPTIK you can just walk straight onto the tube! It even acts as a passport, no longer do I have to dig around and try and find my old paper passport just to travel somewhere. Also, I thought that the OPTIKâs marketing strategy â making it free for people â was a stroke of genius."
Matt: "Genius? BLUME was really calculated when it was doing that. It was pushing this draconian device on us, at all. Sure everybody flocked to it â there was free WiFi, and phone plans. That definitely helped, but it wasnât a case of âthis is a product that you need in your lifeâ."
Vicky: "Why do you hate it so much?"
Matt: "Itâs just the worst because you have to give up your privacy expectations and accept surveillance. It was almost like the government and BLUME didnât even need to make the OPTIK mandatory. Making it mandatory was -- only to get the last holdouts across the line. If free data didnât convince you â fines and arrest from the state for not having the OPTIK would pretty much be enough."
Vicky: "I mean, what do you mean by privacy problems? Nobody really talks about that anymore."
Matt: "They donât talk about it because we donât have any choice when it comes to the OPTIK. Yes itâs convenient, and mandatory, but everybodyâs forgotten what it really means. Here youâve got a whole company owning basically all the data about your life. BLUME can see everything that you can see, nothing is private anymore. There are so many times when I donât want anyone to have a clue about where I am, who Iâm chatting with, what Iâm doing â itâs not even dodgy stuff, but I just donât want anybody to blackmail me in the future by hacking it. And because of BLUMEâs contracts with the government, it isnât just BLUME that can see everything I do, itâs the government. The UK as a state has become a complete surveillance paradise."
Vicky: "I think youâre painting a bit of a bleak picture, itâs not all that bad."
Matt: "No, youâre completely wrong on this. I donât want everybody tracking me wherever Iâm going around London."
Vicky: "Well in that case you might be interested in some rumours I heard. Did you hear that some DedSec hackers have found a way to bypass the OPTIKâs connection with BLUME?"
Matt: "Are they actually making it better, or usable, or actually friendly for anybody?"
Vicky: "Well, word on the street is that theyâve been able to create an encrypted signal, which means that your world might have a chance of becoming a bit more private again, so you can go back and enjoy all the great things about OPTIK without that fear of surveillance."
Matt: "With the OPTIK, privacy is dead." - â Skye Larsen: "Broca Tech has lead the world in AI innovation. We automated London's black cabs. We brought Bagley to your Optiks. But our latest endeavour is entirely new. Technology and humanity. Two sides of the same coin. That is the heart of Daybreak. A chance to leave the troubles of the world behind. Things may seem bleak now, but a new society awaits you. A society of peace and innovation, of love and prosperity. Join our mailing list and receive updates when Daybreak goes live. Unleash the full potential of your mind. One simple, convenient procedure, and you can be free, forever. Sign up for our waitlist today and join us in the world of tomorrow. Daybreak is the future, and the future is very bright, indeed."
- â 4.0 4.1 The Upload: Bagley: "Vicky: Coming up in todayâs episode of The Upload... Weâre talking about how Bagley managed to conquer London. Pretty much my favourite topic, I could talk for hours about the rise of the AI system. Itâs easy to forget about its origins, itâs so present everywhere we go now. Bagley just kind of blends into the background."
Matt: "Bagley is the service AI thatâs present in every OPTIK device. Whether youâre using an OPTIK, Bagley will be there. The AI is streamed to your OPTIK from BLUMEâs central command center and it was first created by Skye Larsen, our tech hero, as part of her techno-utopian idea for the world. Why do you think it grew so quickly?"
Vicky: "In my mind itâs no surprise that Bagley became so popular. Itâs funny, useful, fast. Itâs a great companion and really just makes life so much easier. I mean, when you look back at all the service AIâs that used to exist, they just canât compete! When you ask Bagley anything, thereâs a quick answer and loads of information available to you. One day, I let Bagley answer all of my messages for a whole 24 hours, and no one even noticed the difference."
Matt: "The other competitors really just couldnât compete with Bagley, their answers were so much worse. They didnât understand anything. Bagley pretty much gets everything right, first time. Do you have any idea why Bagley really beat all the competition?"
Vicky: "Well itâs really the data isnât it? Ever since Broca hooked up with BLUME, thatâs when things changed."
Matt: "And really, thatâs not actually that great. BLUME has data on everybody, they collect information about everything youâre doing across the web through your OPTIK headset. Isnât the AI only good because of BLUMEâs surveillance?"
Vicky: "Well I suppose so, but Iâd prefer not to talk about that side of things. Bagley is so special because itâs been trained on this huge cache of information. Thatâs how these AI systems work. Or at least used to work. I mean, we donât really know that much about the latest version because thereâs so much secrecy around the tech. But theyâve given this huge amount of training data. Itâs basically a huge database thatâs used to teach the AI about patterns in behaviour. You know, so if you always travel the same way to your house, it can predict when youâre going to go, and get a self-driving car ready for you before you even ask for it."
Matt: "Thatâs pretty terrifying. In some ways I donât want this data to drive my life. It understands too much at times. Have you heard some of the rumours around a hacked version of Bagley?"
Vicky: "Iâve heard mutterings, yes."
Matt: "Iâve heard itâs been used by DedSec."
Vicky: "I wouldnât put it past them. Itâs pretty well-known that theyâre not fans of BLUME."
Vicky: "But the idea of a souped up version of Bagley, given itâs already so intelligent, is a bit terrifying."
Matt: "I wonder what they can actually make it do." - â Ambient conversation: "You ever read the terms and conditions on your Optik? 'Cause I have. Cover to cover. And while the privacy section looks real nice on paper, anyone with CTOS admin access has pretty much got carte blanche. That means they can figure out who your friends are, what you do in your free time, where you work, where you are at any given moment... Should we really be trusting Blume with all that? Or... And here's a scary thought... Anyone else who's clever enough to get in there?"
- â Albion PA: "All persons are legally required to carry an Optik device at all times. Failure to do so will result in prosecution."
- â Albion PA: "Have you got your Optik device with you? If not, you are in contravention of the law. Ensure you have valid identification on your person at all times."
- â Albion PA: "All persons are advised to ensure that their Optik devices have the latest firmware installed. Failure to do so is a crime."
- â Albion PA: "Attention: Basic cybersecurity awareness is your responsibility. Tampering with your assigned Optik device will leave you vulnerable and is a punishable offense."
- â Albion PA: "Cyber security concerns us all. Ensure that your Optik device is fully up-to-date and upgraded to take advantage of the most advanced security features. Blocking automated upgrades is a serious offense."
- â Albion PA: "Beware of unlicensed or 3rd party firmware. Installing unauthorised software on your Optik device is prohibited by law."
- â Albion PA system: "A reminder that any modifications or installation of illegal programs to your Optik is a punishable offence, it compromises your security, and the security of London."
- â Albion PA: "Reminder: It is unlawful to tamper with an Optik device. Anyone found in possession of a modified device will be prosecuted."
- â Albion PA system: "The use of any third-party apps to block your tracking or CTOS activity is illegal and dangerous. Unauthorized programs leave you vulnerable to digital attacks and compromises security."
- â Albion PA: "All citizens are required to present their Optiks to Albion personnel upon request. Thank you for your compliance."
- â Albion PA: "Reminder: By accepting your Optik Devices' terms of use, you have agreed to randomized inspections from your local authorities. This is an unbreakable legal bond. If you are selected for an inspection, your full cooperation is required, or you will be prosecuted."
- â Ambient conversation: "Apparently in Singapore they're already rolling out the Optik 4. Meanwhile we're stuck on last-gen hardware that was out of date when they first started handing it out to people. And you know what the government says when reporters ask about hardware upgrades? No plans! They're "pleased" with the level of technological sophistication. Well we'll see how pleased they are in a couple of years when all these cheap plastic doodads start falling apart."
- â Ambient conversation: "I think it's a bit odd. Sure, I'm happy to have a free phone, but a mega-corp like Blume just gives away the Optik to everyone in London out of the goodness of their hearts? And they're working with the government? Private businesses and government getting into bed together... I don't know..."
- â Ambient conversation: "I can't be the only one who thinks it's weird they're giving away Optiks to everyone for free when the pound's literally worth nothing. There are no jobs and everyone's just getting poorer and poorer. There's gotta be more happening behind the scenes, right? I wonder what's really going on out there."
- â Ambient conversation: "What I heard was even worse, if you can believe it. Optik's monitor more than you could imagine. But why, you ask? It's obvious. To use us as test subjects. Put all sorts of shite in the water, in the food - what do they want more than anything? Compliance. So they'll dump whatever chemical they want and then record all the data they could ever need. I've heard tons of people talking about it."
- â Ambient conversation: "Ever think about how the government gave us all free Optiks? Yeah, well, this generosity comes with a price. It's so they can control everything bruv, I'm telling you. I heard they use it to collect all your fucking nudes. They study them, compare your like, size and girth and shit to other people. Then, if you're what they decide is a good British specimen, make your profile come up more frequently on PullR. It's like, some sneaky-ass eugenic shit, man!"
- â Optik 0.1 (relic): "The Blume Optik is the most important advance in consumer electronics since the smartphone.
One of the oldest challenges in personal computing is reducing the interval between user input and machine output. If the time between keystroke and feedback is too long, the user will disengage. The genius of the smartphone was how it took this problem out of the digital space. It reduced the time between the user needing a computer and having one at hand.
The Optik reduces this interval even further. With an "always on" configurable augmented reality display, there is now almost no reason to ever "put your phone away."
The physical size of this prototype made it impractical for the average user, so it never reached market. But once Blume sufficiently miniaturized the technology, the line between the digital world and the real one wasn't just blurred, it was erased. " - â Ambient conversation: "The only reason you don't like it is because it's mandatory. The Optik is revolutionary! Can you honestly say that you'd rather carry around all sorts of clunky media, when everything you've ever needed is literally attached to you? I think we're lucky to have it."
- â Ambient conversation: "I reckon they'll be developing the Optik more until we don't need the phone no more, yeah? Handheld device is the last holdout, soon all you'll need is the implant and maybe you like, blink, to select your menu and shit."
- â This can be seen in Bloodline, as Aiden ejects a small card from the device before throwing it away.
- â Ambient conversation: "Saw this tutorial on the darkweb that show you how to do this DIY trick. Been working on my Optik, and shit cuz, it's clocking higher CPU speeds, resolution ting, my device is a whole level above now."
- â Optik ad: "With your entire health history now stored on your Optik, you can get medical treatment anywhere, anytime! Optik: it makes you part of the system!"
- â Optik ad: "Did you know your Optik can make any of your financial transactions for you? Optik: it makes you part of the system!"
- â Optik ad: "No need to carry an ID! All of your records are conveniently stored in your Optik! Optik: it makes you part of the system!"
- â Optik ad: "Law enforcement can keep you safer than ever, now that Optik is equipped with biometric tracking! Optik: it makes you part of the system!"
- â Optik ad: "With our enhanced biometric tracking, Optik helps law enforcement keep you and your family safe. Optik: it makes you part of the system!"
- â Optik ad: "Your Optik now conveniently stores all of your personal, health, and financial records! Optik: it makes you part of the system!"
- â Ambient conversation: "Have you heard about that new Optik function for the hearing impaired? It can translate speech to text, and display it as the person is talking. It's amazing, isn't it? There were a few play houses transcribing their shows doing it, and I guess someone had the bright idea to take it up a notch. Absolutely brilliant."
- â Random metadata: "Created app that transcribes audio to Optik for the hearing impaired"
- â Ambient conversation: "You tried the translator service through your Optik? You can talk to anyone.. talk in a foreign language and you hear it in English almost in real time. There is a small lag, but it works a treat. I know it fucking expensive but there is a twenty four hour trial. Just try it."
- â Ambient conversation: "I'm telling you, as soon as the price comes down, this AR porn might be the end of human civilization as we know it. I get the, um, apparatus on, the Optik does it's thing and then boom! I'm riding whoever or... Whatever I like. Have you wondered what it's like to fuck a dragon? 'Cause I did. Don't anymore."
- â Ambient conversation: "Got to admit, I was a bit suspicious of the Optik when they started rolling them out. That's just me, though. Tell me I've got to carry some gadget on me all the time and I'm going to tell you to fuck yourself, that's just how it goes. But if you set that aside, it's pretty impressive. Voice, video, and seamless AR, all for free? Christ, that's almost worth it."
- â Ambient conversation: "No, no, no, look. The difference between AR and VR is market penetration. It's the same reason mobile games took off but fucking 3D telly's didn't. Everybody got a smart phone, but there's just not a good enough reason for your average so-and-so to have a 3D telly or a VR whatsits. But AR? Well everybody's got an Optik, don't they? It's the fucking law. So give it a couple of years. Fortunes are about to be made in AR gaming, just watch."
- â Ambient conversation: "Eh listen to this one.. I got into a cab the other day and the cab AI asked me if I wanted to listen to the playlist my mother was listening to when she last took a cab. What the fuck? Privacy settings, mate. If you're not on it, THEY bloody well are. I mean, it's cool as shit, but no fucking thank you."
- â Ambient conversation: "Oh my god, you didn't know you could jailbreak it? You're operating on the base firmware? Oh, how awful. You're like an sad animal in a petting zoo. Here, after we're done talking I'm going to give you the name of my guy in Chinatown. He's very good and very discrete. Just, if you go and it's the old lady working there, come back another time, because she has been known to blind people."
- â Ambient conversation: "Yeah, my Optik's broken. I keep getting these pop-up ads all the time. And they're all for porn sites. Don't know what that's about."
- â Ambient conversation: "I'm tired of those ads for Albion. We get it, you're everywhere! I feel like I'm being watched by these pricks every fucking step I make. Tried to delete their app... Pretty sure they know about it. My Optik keeps buzzing with popups and emails about joining them and how they're here to "help" me and shit. Fucking pricks."
- â Disrupt Hack: "Short circuit an enemy's Optik for a short time to stun them"
- â Ambient conversation: "Do you know how fucking easy it is to steal someone's ID nowadays? Any idiot with an Optik and basic intelligence can do it. It's terrifying. How the fuck are regular people supposed to protect themselves? I mean, don't gotta worry about me because I've encrypted all my shit ages ago. I knew it'd come to this."
- â Ambient conversation: "I just don't know how they do it, right? Optiks are supposed to be encrypted, yeah? Safe from hacking. I know I'm being stupid.. maybe? Things are going out of control though. All of my friends have been hacked. One of them even got taken by Albion for doing a robbery. Someone used his fucking ID man. Took him ten hours to clear his name. And he still gets stopped for it. Oof."
- â Ambient conversation: "The only way anyone can survive in this fucking city is with a stolen ID, I think. Get a new Optik, get a new life: it's not even that risky. All they do is scan it anyway, it's not like Albion really gives a fuck as long as they see you toeing the line."
- â Ambient conversation: "Can't trust my Optik with anything. I know they say these shits are secured, but my entire life is saved in there! My friend got his hacked. Half his eTokens were gone in less than an hour! Scary stuff. Fuck. I put fake names for all my accounts. Using VPNs and different passwords every time I connect to something. I'm too scared of those hackers arseholes. At least if I get mugged or stabbed, they'd do it to my face. But online, they can do anything without you knowing and then they disappear and you never know who it was. Could be your neighbor's 6 year old for all ya know."
- â Ambient conversation: "I heard there's a backdoor hack for getting into someone's Optik. Which is kinda scary, but I really want to know how to do it! Not to steal nudes or anything. Well not exclusively anyway. I just want to take a look behind the curtain of someone's life."
- â Ambient conversation: "I honestly don't know how you walk around with an un-hacked Optik. You know how inexpensive it is to have done, right? And it only takes about a minute. They're experts. And really, it keeps you safe, stops SIRS and whoever else from watching literally everything you do."
- â Collectible: "FIELD NOTES
As instructed, standing purposefully in areas suspected of Optik tampering
Behaving as if Iâm providing Optik hacking services, careful not to use incriminating language (avoiding entrapment arguments)
PERSONAL NOTES
Trust always seems to be what it comes down to. Existing relationships. No one knows me, they know I didnât grow up here â canât seem to understand why a stranger suddenly showed up on their street corner to offer a service hundreds of others in this town already have a reputation for offering.
The Optik should have been made more secure in the first place - but I suppose itâs too late for that.
I suggest letting our first âcustomerâ slip by, unbothered. We can arrest the countless others that see this as a sign IâmâĤ well, trustworthy. Like I said, thatâs what itâs going to come down to." - â Recruit conversations: "Come on, now. You cracked your Optik, you're DedSec for sure."
"Don't pretend. A normal person doesn't have a cracked Optik like that."
"Oh, don't play hard to get! Not just anyone has a cracked Optik like yours."
"Give it a rest. Your cracked Optik screams "DedSec.""
"Good try. Your cracked Optik is a dead giveaway that you're DedSec."
"Come on. A regular person doesn't have a sick Optik like that, all modded and encrypted. "
"Really? What do you take me for? Obviously a civilian wouldnât have a cracked Optik like yours. "
"Please. It's not like any civilian can hack their Optik the way you did."
"Save it for the normies. Only DedSec would have a cracked Optik like that."
"Oh, do fuck off. That cracked Optikâs a dead giveaway. "
"Don't be a dickhead. You got a cracked Optik, you're obviously Dedsec."
"Ha. I know a cracked Optik when I scan one. You're DedSec, no doubt."
"Spare me. No civilian has the skillset to crack open an Optik like that."
"Nice try. I'm supposed to believe a regular civilian hacked their Optik like that? Right."
"Who do you think you're talking to? That ain't no standard Optik."
"Don't be stupid, any idiot can see your Optik is cracked. DedSec giveaway." - â Bruno Graves: "Famed for his underground music festivals, Bruno "The Horseman" Graves has been a staple in London's punk scene for decades. His suspicions about the safety of Optiks led him to DedSec, and he hopes to prevent the devices from ravaging human minds."
- â Ambient conversation: "You know, I've seen those shady types on the street. Talking about hacking your Optik or jailbreaking it or whatever. Just calling out to people like they're selling pasties or something. I just wonder, doesn't SIRS know what they're up to? Isn't it illegal? I've been curious to see what my Optik can really do, but I'm worried about getting nicked for even talking to one of those hackers."
- â Ambient conversation: "You know what I hate about these damn Optik things? They're so tiny and flimsy. I always feel like I'm going to snap the little controller part in half. I miss weighty mobiles, know what I mean? Give me one of those old heavy satellite phones from the '80s, where it's like two feet long and you have to lug it around in a briefcase. Now there's a phone that could really smash someone's head in."
- â Recruit conversation: "Right, so you know how broken tech like our Optiks don't get recycled and just pollute the air in landfills?"
- â Ambient conversation: "Well, the lady told me Optiks can survive anything! I mean, obviously I took that as a challenge, you know? You can't just tell me I can't do something and expect me not to try. Anyway, I'm waiting for a new one to come in and they gave me a temp replacement until then. I wonder how much money they're losing out giving these things away to people like me."
- â Ambient conversation: "Hey bruv, explain this at me, yeah? If this c-toss thing is as smart as everyone goes on about, why don't it stop me from downloading tracks, bruv? My Blume Optik's overflowing with fresh shit, fam. C-toss ain't watching me, bro. It can't handle what I'm doing, otherwise I'd be put away for nicking like what, thousands of songs?"
- â Victim: Souls Church: "From: Signals Intelligence Response Service
To: Ernest Flamoix
Sent: September 16, 3:10pm
Subject: Child Sex Offenders Monitor Warning
Sir,
In the past three days, your Optikâs unique identifier has been captured at the following locations:
- Computer Shop
- Ice Cream Parlour
- Royal London Hospital
- Kitchen Supply Shop
- Locksmith
These locations correspond to the movements of a known child sex offender in our registry. This is to notify you that by associating with known child sex offenders you may be considered an accessory to any unlawful acts committed by said offender.
Should you wish to avoid further scrutiny of your actions or indeed any potential legal jeopardy, please cease and desist in activities that may be construed as being associated with any known child sex offender.
If this communication has reached you in error, SIRS apologises for the inconvenience.
Thank you,
Signals Intelligence Response Service
Watching over Britain. Watching out for you." - â MI-6 Building #2: "I donât know if anyone will ever read this but if you are, I am a prisoner. SIRS has been holding me forâĤ fuck, I donât know what day it is. I was taken from my flat on September 7th. Theyâve been running me through the whole routine. Blasting music, bright lights, standing, kneeling the bloody works. I donât know if itâs day or night. They seem to think Iâm with DedSec just because Iâve got a hacked Optik. I sort of wish I were DedSec. At least then Iâd have some skills to get the fuck out of here. I donât know what to write. My wife is Abby Smithson at 101 Clarks Road. I guess if this makes it to her before I doâĤ fuck me just tell her I love her and Iâm sorry for being such a selfish wankerâĤ"
- â Victim: British Library: "From: Albion Immigration and Citizenship Services
To: Aarav Singh
Sent: Sept. 13 10:09 am
Subject: Restricted Areas
Mr. Singh,
This is to advise you that your Optik has been registered as having entered zones restricted to all persons not of full citizenship status.
As your current status is âUnder Reviewâ you possess limited access rights to certain parts of the city.
September 12th, your Optikâs unique identifier was captured at the following locations;
- Your current residence
- Local Chemist
- Royal London Hospital
- Local Dry Cleaner
- Trafalgar Square
- Local Bicycle Shop
Trafalgar square is currently the site of unlawful activity and an Albion operation is ongoing. During this time you may not enter with in 500 metres of the location.
This is your second offence.
Last month you were sanctioned for entering the vicinity of the European Processing Centre at Kennington Oval. This is a restricted site. You may not enter with in 500 metres of the location.
If you are found to have entered a restricted zone a 3rd time, you will be automatically flagged for rendition to the EPC to await deportation.
Thank you for your compliance,
Albion Immigration and Citizenship Services" - â Ambient conversation: "Fuck, I'd stay away from Clan Kelley. They talk big about getting work, making crypto, but it's all bullshit. They take bare money off the top of whatever you earn, they plant backdoors on your Optik, so they know what you're up to at all times. You fuck around on your deliveries and shit, they know about it, and they let you know that they know, cuz. They go hard, you know?"
- â Bagley: "This is brilliant! Look at this, it's compiling data from the surveillance infrastructure--nearby CTOS drones, civilian Optiks, CCTV... And then it assembles those scraps into what happened in this location twenty-four hours ago. Fantastic!"
- â Bagley: "That brilliant Albion goon left their Optik on passive listening mode. Must have skipped countersurveillance day in fascist school. They might have recorded something about our prospect."
- â Operative: "You got all that from their Optik? You're spooking me, Bagley..."