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Key people at Eyebloc.
Eyebloc was founded by Craig Isakow (Founder (side project)).
Based in Oakland, California, Eyebloc manufactures physical webcam covers and related hardware accessories designed to protect user privacy by blocking laptop and tablet camera lenses. The organization develops multiple product lines, including magnetic camera blockers, nano suction-cup covers, data blockers, and ultraviolet device cleaners tailored for both individual consumers and corporate IT departments. Eyebloc distributes its hardware directly to consumers through its proprietary website and Amazon, while also securing enterprise distribution through a strategic licensing partnership established with Kensington in June 2020. The hardware manufacturer generates approximately $6 million in annual revenue and previously expanded its intellectual property portfolio by acquiring SpiShutter to secure an existing utility patent for magnetic camera covers. Prior to launching this privacy hardware business, the creator helped build the automotive retail platform Shift.com. Eyebloc was founded in 2013 by CJ Isakow.
Key people at Eyebloc.
Eyebloc was founded by Craig Isakow (Founder (side project)).
# High-Level Overview
Eyebloc is a privacy-focused hardware company that manufactures webcam covers and related device security products designed to prevent unauthorized access to laptop and computer cameras.[1][2] Founded in 2013, the company addresses the growing concern of "camfecting"—the practice of hackers remotely activating webcams without user knowledge—by offering simple, non-adhesive solutions that appeal to both individual consumers and enterprise customers.[1][3]
The company's mission centers on safeguarding customer privacy in the digital realm.[2] Eyebloc serves a dual market: direct-to-consumer sales through Amazon and its website, and the promotional products industry, with significant enterprise traction among Fortune 100 companies.[1] As of January 2023, the company generates approximately $6 million in annual revenue, representing substantial growth from its early bootstrapped days.[1]
# Origin Story
CJ Isakow founded Eyebloc in 2013 after recognizing an opportunity in the market for webcam security.[2] The idea emerged from genuine concern about webcam hacking, though Isakow initially treated it as a running joke with friends, joking that he would become an "Eyebloc billionaire" while acknowledging that duct tape would be his biggest competitor.[4] He applied to Shark Tank with minimal preparation—following lean startup principles—and was accepted despite not yet having a finished product.[4] This forced him to move quickly: he found a supplier online, secured manufacturing, and launched the business with just a $1,000 initial investment (raised by selling a bike, per his wife's insistence).[4]
After his January 2014 Shark Tank appearance, Isakow initially stepped back from the business but revived it in 2017.[1] A pivotal moment came in September 2018 when he acquired SpiShutter, a competitor that manufactured magnetic camera covers and held a utility patent for its design.[1] This acquisition expanded Eyebloc's product line to include magnetic blockers, nano blockers (using suction technology), UV device cleaners, and data blockers.[1]
# Core Differentiators
# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Eyebloc operates at the intersection of two powerful trends: the proliferation of built-in webcams in consumer and enterprise devices, and rising awareness of privacy vulnerabilities. The company benefits from sustained concern about "camfecting" and corporate security protocols that increasingly mandate camera protection measures.[3]
The timing has proven favorable—what began as a niche concern has become mainstream security practice. The Kensington partnership signals that major device accessory distributors now view webcam covers as essential products rather than novelties, legitimizing the category within enterprise procurement.[1] Eyebloc's success in landing Fortune 100 pre-installations demonstrates how a simple hardware solution can achieve significant enterprise adoption when it solves a genuine security need without friction.
# Quick Take & Future Outlook
Eyebloc has evolved from a bootstrapped joke into a credible privacy hardware company with $6 million in annual revenue and Fortune 100 customer relationships.[1] The company's trajectory suggests continued growth in the enterprise segment, where security mandates and IT procurement budgets provide sustainable demand. The Kensington partnership provides distribution leverage that could accelerate consumer market penetration as privacy concerns remain elevated.
The broader opportunity lies in expanding the product ecosystem beyond webcam covers—UV cleaners and data blockers hint at a vision of becoming a comprehensive device privacy brand. As remote work and hybrid arrangements persist, and as privacy regulations tighten globally, companies like Eyebloc that solve tangible security problems with elegant, frictionless solutions are well-positioned to capture market share in both consumer and enterprise segments.
