> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Here's Looking at You, Kyle McDonald
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/heres-looking-at-you-kyle-mcdonald/
- Published: 2011-07-07T22:52:34.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:02:44.000Z
- Description: In a project that was either a canny statement about surveillance and consumer culture or just plain creepy [http://theatlantic.tumblr.com/post/7302392496/file-this-art-project-under-things-that-are-creepy], artist Kyle Macdonald staged a "photographic intervention" on public computers in Apple stor
- Author: John d'Addario
- Tags: News, #image-position-hidden, computers, Surveillance, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-17 09:23 (2009-2011)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/mcdonald_291.jpg "mcdonald_291")

In a project that was either a canny statement about surveillance and consumer culture or [just plain creepy](http://theatlantic.tumblr.com/post/7302392496/file-this-art-project-under-things-that-are-creepy?ref=hyperallergic.com), artist [Kyle McDonald](http://kylemcdonald.net/?ref=hyperallergic.com) staged a “photographic intervention” on public computers in Apple stores around Manhattan via a custom application that snapped photos of people browsing the computers without their knowledge and then uploaded them to a [Tumblr site](http://peoplestaringatcomputers.tumblr.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com). Which was all fun and games until the Secret Service stopped by and [confiscated his laptop](http://twitter.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com#%21/kcimc/status/88956546972778496):

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2011/07/mcdonald_tweet.jpg "mcdonald_tweet")

McDonald explained via a [subsequent tweet](http://twitter.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com#!/kcimc/status/88985472411512832) that he was charged with violating U.S. Code section 1030, which specifically addresses [“fraud and related activity in connection with computers”](http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/18/I/47/1030?ref=hyperallergic.com)—though it’s unclear exactly how McDonald’s actions broke the law in the regard set forth by the statute. He’s [keeping quiet](http://twitter.com/?ref=hyperallergic.com#!/kcimc/status/89072716916858880) for the time being, but we’re pretty sure the discussion about the issues involved is just getting started.

(via [Eyeteeth](http://eyeteeth.blogspot.com/2011/07/feds-visit-artist-behind-people-staring.html?ref=hyperallergic.com))