# Surveillance-Blocking iPhone Cases The 'Introspection Engine' was Designed by Edward Snowden By Joey Haar | Published 2016-07-22 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/introspection-engine References: [techcrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/21/snowden-on-the-case/?ncid=rss) & [media.mit.edu](http://www.media.mit.edu/events/forbidden/overview) If anyone in the world knows the importance of staying hidden from surreptitious surveillance, it's Edward Snowden, which is why the ex-[NSA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/do-not-track-kids) staffer teamed up with [MIT Media Lab](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/httpswwwmediamitedu) hacker Andrew "Bunnie" Huang to introduce the 'introspection engine' [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onfrontier-f11) attachment. Similar in appearance to an external battery, the device is designed to alert its users if their phone is being spied upon. Governments, since they have control of the conduits through which media travel, have an easy time intercepting devices, even when the device users' themselves believe their phones are shut off. The introspection engine designed by Edward Snowden puts wires directly into an iPhone's circuitry and monitors various key radio emitters and receivers. If these radio nodes activate, the iPhone attachment can send alert messages, an audible alarm, or even activate a "kill switch" to eliminate the phone. Snowden and Huang believe the introspection engine will be useful for journalists working in highly dangerous regions where government spying could harm their work and their well-beings. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Surveillance-blocking Iphone Cases:** The 'introspection engine' iPhone attachment designed by Edward Snowden and Andrew Huang offers an innovative solution for protecting users from surreptitious surveillance. - **Government Interception:** The easy interception of devices by governments presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the cybersecurity industry. - **Protection for Journalists:** The introspection engine is a disruptive innovation that can provide much-needed protection for journalists working in dangerous regions where government spying is a concern. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Cybersecurity:** The cybersecurity industry can capitalize on the need for new technologies that can block and detect surveillance. - **Journalism:** The journalism industry can benefit from the introspection engine to ensure the safety and security of journalists working in high-risk environments. - **Technology Accessories:** The technology accessories industry can explore the development of surveillance-blocking attachments for smartphones, similar to the introspection engine designed by Edward Snowden. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Security-Enhancing Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cirotta-case.md) - [Anti-Connectivity Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slnt-faraday-phone-sleeve.md) - [Space‑grade Privacy Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electromagnetic-shielding-jacket.md) - [Low-Profile Connectivity-Blocking Backpacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slnt-incognito-faraday-backpack.md) - [Confidentiality-Centric Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/confidentiality-hightech-smartphone.md) - [Smartphone-Silencing Pouches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/california-cowboy-out-of-pocket-pouch.md) - [Anti-Theft Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unsnatchable-phone-case.md) - [Privacy-Protecting Mobile Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/do-not-track-kids.md) - [Anti-Listening Technology Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-device-privacy-controller.md)