[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] "Cat lawyer video" technical explanation

[Robert Primak]

 When you mentioned Live Cam Avatar, I immediately figured out what had happened, most likely. This is not a feature of Zoom, Webex, SnapChat or Windows (or Mac). Even using Linux (if the original OS is still available) won't disable some OEM apps or "features". 
This is preinstalled OEM manufacturer "crapware". It should have been removed from the laptop or PC immediately when the device was purchased, if this was not a child's or a teen/young adult's device. The OEM features on most laptops can be invoked by accident if the user doesn't know they are there. And of course, if you didn't invoke the feature on purpose, how are you supposed to know how to turn it off? 
Even if there are younger users, anything which they did not download and install themselves should be looked upon with a LOT of skepticism. You never know who's watching you while you are watching people on Zoom, if your device has OEM apps or  "features" preinstalled. 
It's a real pain to do, but the first thing you need to do on any device with a preinstalled operating system (except phones, where you can't do this) is to wipe the preinstalled OS and reinstall from clean, non-branded media. And with Windows, pony up and get Pro. 
Then install and allow only apps which are compatible with how the device is to be used -- business, school or play -- be careful about comingling these types of uses. 
If you can afford it, kids' computers should be kept separate from any device which grownups will be using for business purposes. 
Or you can wait until you or your kids turn you into "cat lawyer". Or worse. Your choice. 
-- Bob Primak
    On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 12:25:30 PM EST, Ken Pogran <pogran at alum.mit.edu> wrote:  
 
 I suspect that by now, most folks have seen the so-called "cat lawyer 
video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxlPGPupdd8&feature=youtu.be>" in 
which a hapless attorney making a court appearance in Texas via Zoom on 
a borrowed laptop has his image replaced by an augmented-reality cat, 
mimicking his mouth and eye movements etc.  He is perplexed because he 
can't figure out how to turn off the "filter" in Zoom, even with 
guidance from the (apparently technically savvy) judge.

On another list I'm on, a member related finding an article with a 
technical explanation of just what happened on the video, and why the 
lawyer couldn't figure out how to undo the "filter". Turns out, it was 
more complex than just a feature of Zoom:

"An article I read made clear why the lawyer couldn't figure out how to 
turn it off.

"The filters are not part of the Zoom app. Instead, you install a 
different program ("Snap Camera" from the company that makes the snap 
chat mobile app). That program presents itself as a different webcam to 
the OS.

"Then within Zoom or WebEx or whatever, you dig deep into your video 
settings and change the camera from the system webcam to this special 
Snap camera.

"It's a clever architecture hack, but if you didn't set it up yourself 
(I'm sure the lawyer's [assistant's] kids did it), I can't imagine a 
normal human ever being able to figure out how to turn it off."

A brief article on USA Today 
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/02/10/zoom-cat-filters-how-to-add-to-next-meeting/4466701001/> 
explains how to set it up (on Mac or PC), but also notes that the "BBC 
reports the specific cat filter in the video originated from 
pre-installed software for Dell laptops called Live Cam Avatar", so who 
knows which was actually in use.

Ken Pogran
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