I know that complaining about the rise of generative AI and muttering to anyone who’ll listen that “they’re watching us” makes me sound like a tinfoil-hat survivalist that everyone avoids in the grocery store checkout line. But honestly, with Ring cameras, data brokers, and facial recognition everywhere, different kinds of surveillance are just a normal part of modern American life now.

I’m genuinely worried about someday living in a Big Tech-run police state—but for the most part, it hasn’t really changed how I live. I use a data-scrubbing service to keep as much of my personal info offline as I can, but that’s mainly because I write for the internet and people often get mad enough at me that I’m at risk of being doxxed. Beyond that, though, I’m still glued to my unethically made iPhone, I go to political protests with my face and tattoos visible (please do what the ACLU says, not what I do), and I often give out my full name and email address for things like a 5% discount on my dog’s small-breed kibble.

I know I need to work on breaking free from the surveillance culture I fear and criticize, but I’m a sucker for shortcuts. So when I got the chance to try out some products from Ohmni—a clothing line launched in 2025 by musician M.I.A., aimed at “safeguarding personal privacy and autonomy by offering items designed to block electromagnetic frequencies”—I couldn’t resist learning more.

Photo: Emma Specter

Here, finally, were cheeky literal tinfoil hats and anti-facial recognition balaclavas inspired by the style of groups like the Irish Republican Army. No, I don’t always agree with M.I.A.’s politics, to say the least, but as I browsed Ohmni’s website, I was pretty impressed by her boldness. This was definitely not one of those “dress like me and you’ll finally be cool!” celebrity clothing lines.

So I tried not to overthink the strange mix of anti-surveillance activists and right-wing charlatans as I put on the Ohmni outfit I got to test: the Tin Foil Hat in black, the C U Invisible Trench, and the Liquid Gold Waist Bag. Wearing all three at once, I looked ready to tour Niagara Falls or attend an after-hours trance DJ set in downtown LA. As I walked my dog through my Hollywood neighborhood, I actually felt more visible than I do in my usual T-shirt and gym shorts. One woman stopped me to say she liked my coat, but mostly people just stared, probably wondering why I was wearing what looked like full rain gear on a typical sunny, 84-degree SoCal afternoon.

Can M.I.A.’s clothing line actually make you less vulnerable to mass surveillance, especially if you’re an immigrant, an activist, or part of any other heavily watched group in the US? I’m going to have to answer with a rueful but likely “LOL, no”—after all, the trench coat alone costs over $200 on Ohmni’s website, and at that price, you’d be better off just smashing your phone with a hammer. But I’ll never say no to material items that make us more aware of how vulnerable we are to Big Tech’s excesses, even if they’re just celebrity-backed trinkets.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about MIAs antisurveillance streetwear covering beginner to advanced questions

Beginner Questions

1 What exactly is antisurveillance streetwear
Its clothing designed to block or confuse surveillance technologies like facial recognition thermal cameras and GPS tracking MIA popularized this style by combining these tech features with bold fashionforward designs

2 How can clothing actually block surveillance
Designers use special materials and patterns For example reflective fabrics can wash out facial features in camera footage while metallic threads can block RFID signals Some clothes use patterns that confuse computer vision algorithms

3 Does MIA actually sell this clothing
Yes She has released collections that include hoodies masks and jackets with builtin antisurveillance features You can find them through her official merchandise store or select fashion retailers

4 Will wearing this make me completely invisible to cameras
No It reduces your visibility to certain types of surveillance but its not a magic invisibility cloak It works best against automated systems but a human watching live footage can still see you

5 Is this just for celebrities and activists
Not at all While MIA is a celebrity the gear is designed for anyone concerned about privacy Its becoming popular with regular people who want to control their digital footprint

Intermediate Questions

6 What specific technologies does the clothing block
Common targets include
Facial recognition Using reflective fabrics or patterns that break up facial geometry
Thermal imaging Using insulating layers or metallic fabrics that hide body heat
RFIDNFC skimming Using shielded pockets to block signals from credit cards or phones

7 Can I still look stylish while wearing it
Yesthats the whole point MIAs designs mix streetwear aesthetics with protective features Think of it as functional fashion not a hazmat suit

8 How do I care for antisurveillance clothing
Check the label carefully Many pieces have special coatings or metallic threads that can be damaged by
Harsh detergents
High heat air dry instead of