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With the rise of social media, people have become more vigilant than ever about their private information. Nowadays everyone knows that you have to be careful where you put your address, phone number, or credit card info online, or else it might fall into the hands of the wrong people.
And now it’s time to add one more item to that list of private things to be careful about: your keys.
The recently-started Japanese online service Aikagi Kojo (“Duplicate Key Factory”) allows customers to send them a photo of a key via e-mail or the messaging app LINE on their smartphone, thereupon they can create a duplicate key based on the picture alone.
Now, you might be thinking: “Sure, someone could use it to copy another person’s key. But couldn’t they do that anyway if they took it to a store to have it copied?”
While that is technically true, you have to admit it’s a heck of a lot easier to just snap a quick picture of someone’s key without them noticing, rather than grabbing the key itself. People tend to notice if a key is missing; they don’t tend to notice if someone took a one-second photo while they were looking away.
As expected, Japanese netizens were pretty skeptical about this suspicious service:
“Is there even a chance this would ever be used legitimately?” “Wow, that’s sketchy.” “Imagine if someone gets a shot of a celebrity’s keys and uploads it.” “Who ever thought this would ever be a good idea?” “Guess I’m never taking my keys out of my pockets again.”
From the reaction online, it’s hard to imagine this service will be around much longer.
Source: Itai News
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© Japan Today
8 Comments
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gaijintraveller
Many shops refuse as a matter of policy to make a copy of a key that is itself a copy and not an original. No doubt this is a useful service for thieves. Girlfriends or boyfriends may also find it useful. Keep your keys safe.
Citizen2012
Can't believe this is allowed. It does show how bad are the level of regulations if one can copy a key just by taking a picture of somebody else key, it is of course a perfect service for thieves.
LFRAgain
Knowing, as we all do, that stalking is a very real thing, this is a horribly, horribly bad software idea.
GW
Unbelievably STUPID idea/service, what kind of idiots would dream this up?? And to anyone who uses this service.....dumber than DUMB!!!
Citizen2012
Another stupid company that probably would think a similar service to pay online by taking a picture of a credit card is "smart".
sighclops
I get the feeling that Japanese companies don't 'get' smartphones. You'll often find them applying garakei ideas to a platform that can do so much more. Apps are often just webpages and extremely counter-intuitive. This idea is one that belongs in the garakei basket.
cwhite
If you're still using a key that can be duplicated in less that one minute of grinding, then you're using the wrong one. At least use a dimple key or one with magnetic pins.
nath
WE need better locks! Someone can also 3d print a key...