The Digital Human

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Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Aleks Krotoski explores the digital world

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The Digital Human: Series 22: Find

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Series 22

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Aleks Krotoski on why the world for people who need to hide is becoming increasingly small

Aleks discovers how after a 14-year search by thousands of people online, a man called Satoshi was finally found using a single photo and what this means for our privacy.

In 2006 the creators of the alternate reality game, Perplex City set a puzzle challenge called Billion to One.  With only one photograph and a first name players were tasked with using the internet to find out who the man was in the photo.  Despite thousands of people looking for Satoshi he stayed hidden for 14 years until eventually, just before New Year in 2021 Tom Lucas in Germany used reverse image search and in under five minutes discovered who he was, where he lived, worked and how to contact him.  

This may be considered progress for those who want to be found but for people like Sian who live under Witness Protection, advancements in technology means stepping out of her house becomes a huge risk.  Because we capture so much of our lives and put it online, where ever Sian goes she has to be vigilant she’s not caught on camera or video.  Just one reverse image search could mean she is found, which could have dire consequences for her and her family.  

In Japan, Satoshi records his first interview since being found giving a voice  to the Billion to One puzzle photo for the first time. Aleks finds out if Satoshi knew thousands of people were looking for him and how feels about being found? 

Producer Kate Bissell 
Researcher Juliet Conway

The Digital Human: Series 22

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