Rand Paul sells ‘NSA spy cam blocker’

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is selling an “NSA spy cam blocker” emblazoned with his his name through his presidential campaign website. 

The item that sells for $15 is one of the many novelty items that people can buy to show their support for the newly announced candidate for the 2016 GOP nomination. 

The small plastic tool sticks to the top of a laptop, and opens and closes over the camera on the top of the screen. 

“That little front facing camera on your laptop or tablet can be a window for the world to see you – whether you know it or not! Stop hackers and the NSA with this simple camera blocker. Safe and practical,” the description reads. 

According to reports last year, the National Security Agency has the ability to gain control of an individual’s computer using malware. The Intercept has reported those tools have the ability to remotely record using a computer’s own microphone or snap photos through a person’s own webcam. 

Paul has been a major critic of the NSA’s secret surveillance programs that were widely revealed by the leaks from Edward Snowden. He has sued the government over one domestic program that collections millions of Americans’ phone metadata. 

He has split with other Republicans in his views on reform. He opposed an NSA reform bill last year because it did not go far enough to end the law that authorizes the program. He doubled down again last month, saying he would not vote to authorize portions of the Patriot Act this spring even if it came with some surveillance reform.