SCANDALBATCH W25AI / SURVEILLANCE
Optifye.ai logo

Optifye.ai

Built 'sweatshops-as-a-service.' YC deleted the evidence.

Undisclosed
Capital Raised
2+ YRS
Lifespan
Garment workers' dignity
Body Count

AUTOPSY REPORT

YC W25 startup that built AI-powered surveillance cameras for garment factories. YC posted a demo video showing supervisors monitoring workers as colored rectangles — green for productive, red for not. A manager calls about a low-performing worker referred to as 'Number 17' — not by name, just a number — while the AI tracked their every movement on the factory floor . The internet dubbed it 'sweatshops-as-a-service' and 'computer vision sweatshop software.' YC deleted the demo video from all social accounts after massive backlash. The founders, two Duke CS students, saw their product become a symbol of AI surveillance dystopia.

DAMAGE: Garment workers' dignity

TIMELINE

2024Founded by two Duke University CS students
2025-02YC posts demo video showing factory worker surveillance
2025-02YC deletes video from all socials after 'sweatshop' backlash
PickleuBiome

Satirical project. Not affiliated with Y Combinator. All information from public records.