Big Brother alert: Cameras in the cable box to monitor TV viewers

[Revmitchell]

It hardly gets more Orwellian than this. New technology would allow cable companies to peer directly into television watchers’ homes and monitor viewing habits and reactions to product advertisements.

The technology would come via the cable box, and at least one lawmaker on Capitol Hill is standing in opposition.

Mass. Democratic Rep. Michael Capuano has introduced a bill, the We Are Watching You Act, to prohibit the technology on boxes and collection of information absent consumer permission. The bill would also require companies that do use the data to show “we are watching you” messages on the screen and to explain just what kinds of information is being captured and for what reasons, AdWeek reported.

The technology includes cameras and microphones that are installed on DVRs or cable boxes and analyzes viewers’ responses, behaviors and statements to various ads — and then provides advertisements that are targeted to the particular household.

Specifically, the technology can monitor sleeping, eating, exercising, reading and more, AdWeek reported.

“This may sound preposterous, but it’s neither a joke nor an exaggeration,” said Mr. Capuano in a statement, AdWeek reported. “These DVRs would essentially observe consumers as they watch television as a way to super-target ads. It is an incredible invasion of privacy.

http://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/17/big-brother-alert-cameras-cable-box-monitor-tv-vie/

 

[exscentric]

include in that the new game boxes and any computer with webcam - both have possibility for abuse.

 

[InTheLight]

Piece of black electrical tape strategically placed solves the problem. Or request a different model DVR box. Or don't get a box with a DVR.

 

[poncho]

I was telling everyone about this 9 or 10 years ago Rev. This should be in the old news and past events forum.

Yawn.

It's good to see someone else finally becoming aware here though. Just think at this rate you might be fully aware in another five of ten years! ; )

 

[Magnetic Poles]

Here we go again! Wait a minute while I get some more tin foil.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Piece of black electrical tape strategically placed solves the problem. Or request a different model DVR box. Or don't get a box with a DVR.

What do we do about the built-in microphone we can't turn off?

Just askin' ... :laugh:

 

[InTheLight]

Here we go again! Wait a minute while I get some more tin foil.

Precisely. As if there are going to be banks of bleary-eyed advertising interns looking at huge matrixes of TV screens monitoring millions of TV viewers' reactions to ads.

 

[poncho]

You're still thinking of the old days when people had to watch screens all day. We got computers to do all that now.

This is all about the "internet of things" (google it) where all your appliances and gadgets are spying on you and feeding the information back to whoever can use it to their advantage.

"We have a clear vision – to create a world where every object - from jumbo jets to sewing needles – is linked to the Internet. Compelling as this vision is, it is only achievable if this system is adopted by everyone everywhere. Success will be nothing less than global adoption." source

Y'all need to step out of the past into the present and put your ears on and listen to the future the giant corporations have planned for us.

 

[InTheLight]

You're still thinking of the old days when people had to watch screens all day. We got computers to do all that now.

Explain how computers watching a person watching an advertisement on TV is going to determine what that person is thinking about the commercial?

They'd be pretty bored watching me--all they would see is a guy with a remote in his hand pointing it at the TV as he flips the channel as soon as an ad comes on.

 

[poncho]

Explain how computers watching a person watching an advertisement on TV is going to determine what that person is thinking about the commercial?

They'd be pretty bored watching me--all they would see is a guy with a remote in his hand pointing it at the TV as he flips the channel as soon as an ad comes on.

"Researchers can read your mind, literally. Brain scans are now able show what your thoughts are by the images your brain sees".

 

[InTheLight]

"Researchers can read your mind, literally. Brain scans are now able show what your thoughts are by the images your brain sees".

Article is about performing an MRI on the brain. That technique is probably beyond the ability of cable companies to implement via cable tuner boxes. Just sayin'.

 

[poncho]

Article is about performing an MRI on the brain. That technique is probably beyond the ability of cable companies to implement via cable tuner boxes. Just sayin'.

For how long? Just askin'. I remember a time I would have laughed at a person telling me I'd someday be able to carry a computer (smart phone) around in my pocket. Have you checked out all the features of XBOX One?

There was even a time when everyone believed the earth was flat and they made fun of those who said it was round.

 

[preacher4truth]

Unplug the cable box. Problem solved.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

What do we do about the built-in microphone we can't turn off?

Just askin' ... :laugh:

Got an ice pick?:laugh:

 

[poncho]

You don't want your cable box spying on you? You must be with Al Qaeda!

Just wondering how long it would take congress to pass a law making it a criminal offense to disable all the spy features.

Not long I would imagine.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Just wondering how long it would take congress to pass a law making it a criminal offense to disable all the spy features.

Not long I would imagine.

Guessing you've equipped yourself with the aforementioned ice pick and a mask to disguise your identity, and are perhaps seeking to acquire a voice box-altering device to tape to your throat?

But like I said, just guessing ...

 

[Magnetic Poles]

You don't want your cable box spying on you? You must be with Al Qaeda!

Just wondering how long it would take congress to pass a law making it a criminal offense to disable all the spy features.

Not long I would imagine.

Is it a requirement you subscribe to cable? And again, your fears are ungrounded and are the sign of a mind too absorbed in the rantings of the certifiably lunatic Alex Jones. You really do need to find a way to get a grip on reality, Poncho. This is nothing to fear from your cable receiver, except maybe a high bill every month.

 

[poncho]

Is it a requirement you subscribe to cable? And again, your fears are ungrounded and are the sign of a mind too absorbed in the rantings of the certifiably lunatic Alex Jones. You really do need to find a way to get a grip on reality, Poncho. This is nothing to fear from your cable receiver, except maybe a high bill every month.

That's rich coming from a guy that's still defening a certfiable lunatic like Obama.

 

[poncho]

Guessing you've equipped yourself with the aforementioned ice pick and a mask to disguise your identity, and are perhaps seeking to acquire a voice box-altering device to tape to your throat?

But like I said, just guessing ...

What's up with this? Don't they ever teach you would be propagandists any new tricks? No wonder so many people have tuned guys like you out.

Do us all a favor and get some new material, eh?

 

[Don]

In London, they now have cameras on street corners. They don't just watch traffic; they also watch pedestrians. If the system recognizes an action like dropping litter, speakers mounted with the cameras play a child's voice asking them to please pick up their trash.

Joe Lieberman proposed installing similar cameras throughout our nation.

The Department of Human Services has an abysmal record of trampling on constitutional rights. Even though a court ruling several years ago requires DHS to observe the same 4th amendment rights as other government agencies, they still have a tendency to use local police as intimidation, and use threats and even incarceration if you don't allow them into your house to check on anonymous reports of child abuse.

Drone use is on the rise.

And let's not forget what the Patriot Act has brought us. Or the fact that our own government is cooperating with our Services industry to spy on us.

In the mid1990's, Microsoft's corporate vision statement was "a PC on every desk, in every house, running Windows." With the XBox, Microsoft has almost reached that vision; and with the XBox One requiring that the Kinect camera be continually connected, well....

A camera in DVRs to monitor our buying habits? No problem; and if any of that information is shared with the NSA and/or FBI like with our phone records, well, that's just helping the security of our nation.

But hey, that's just how things are. Maybe Poncho does go towards the far end of the pool; but it's okay, because we only have to worry about it if we're guilty of something, right? Don't we all sleep just a bit better, knowing our government is watching us...or rather, watching out for us? Doesn't it make you feel safer, like when your big brother watched out for you?