German company launches 'digital condom'. What is it, how it works

The digital condom aims to tackle the modern issue of revenge porn. (Image: Billy Boy)

In response to growing concerns about unauthorised recordings and the spread of intimate content without consent, German condom company Billy Boy, in collaboration with Innocean Berlin, has launched an app called Camdom, a “digital condom” that aims to prevent digital privacy violations during intimate encounters.

Camdom functions by leveraging Bluetooth technology to block unauthorised camera, video, and microphone access on users’ devices. Felipe Almeida, the app’s developer, explained the purpose of Camdom in a recent statement, saying, “Smartphones have become an extension of our body and we store a lot of sensitive data on them. In order to protect you from the recording of non-consensual content, we’ve created the first app that can block your camera and mic simply through the use of Bluetooth.”

Camdom is straightforward to activate. Before an encounter, users place their smartphones in close proximity and swipe down a virtual button on the app to activate the privacy block. If any attempt to bypass these restrictions is detected, an alarm sounds, notifying both users. The app can also block multiple devices simultaneously, making it adaptable for different settings.

The digital condom aims to tackle the modern issue of revenge porn, which has affected everyone from celebrities to ordinary individuals. A notable example includes a CUNY professor who was awarded $30 million in damages after her former partner leaked intimate images online. Revenge porn can lead to profound psychological effects, including depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal, a consequence noted in studies by the Egas Moniz School of Health & Science in Portugal.

Billy Boy’s brand manager, Alexander Strümann, highlighted the company’s commitment to privacy protection: “Billy Boy is a brand known to protect people in the analog world, so we wanted to take the next step and protect the digital generation from a threat that a normal condom can’t tackle — the leakage of non-consensual media during sex.” Gabriel, Chief Creative Officer at Innocean Berlin, added, “At Innocean Berlin we’re all about solving problems not just for our clients but also for society at large.”

The announcement sparked significant discussion online, with users reacting both with surprise and approval. Social media responses varied, from humorous comments like “Finally, a safe precaution for phone sex," with one user remarking, “It’s sad that this is necessary in our society.”