Verizon has filed a patent for a DVR that can watch and listen to the goings-on in your living room.

[HiPointDem]

Verizon has filed a patent for a DVR that can watch and listen to the goings-on in your living room. In the application, the company proposes to use the technology to serve targeted ads appropriate to whatever you’re doing in the, uh, privacy of your own home—fighting, cuddling, or hanging out with your cats.

Verizon is far from the first company to think of this unassailably creepy use for a set-top box. Comcast patented similar monitoring technology in 2008 for recommending content based on people it recognizes in the room; Google proposed yet another patent for Google TV that would use audio and video recorders to figure out how many people in a room are watching the current broadcast.

Verizon filed for the application in May 2011, and it was just published last week. (By law, all patent applications are published after 18 months.) In the document, which was first noticed by FierceCable, Verizon gives two examples of the context-sensitive DVR’s use in a couple’s living room: sounds of arguing prompt ads for marriage counseling, while sounds of “cuddling” prompts ads for contraceptives. Charming.

Generally, these uses of cameras and mics frighten the living daylights out of customers (understandably so), so all of these patents have yet to be put to use. Still, the wheels continue to turn in content providers’ heads about how to get eyes and ears in your living room, even as the creepiness factor persists.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/12/how-to-get-targeted-ads-on-your-tv-a-camera-in-your-set-top-box/


don't like it? ya damned luddites!

[rhett o rick]

1. Sounds cool to me. Imagine if we could choose whose living room we got to watch.

I think they would be very disappointed at my house. On second thought maybe they could keep an eye on Kitty when we are gone. I suspect she it the one that has been shredding the couch.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Fuck that noise. NO way.

This is intrusive above and beyond the pale.

[backtoblue]

6. Hell to the no! Stay out of my house!

Our privacies are being stripped away from us bit by fucking bit and that is the last straw in my pissed off opinion!

Targeted ads are bad enough on the internet, but surveillance inside our homes?

Fuck that noise!!! I'm with you Peggy!

[dixiegrrrrl]

30. What ya do is put up a closed loop video in front of their spy hole.

Something like a bowl of fish swimming, or even anything gross.
then just let it run over and over and over.

that is, if you are willing to use the damn DVR thing in the first place.

[rachel1]

3. Will the customers have the option of opting out?

[YvonneCa]

7. I will. That will be the day I...

...disconnect the TV. Permanently. Period.

[The Wielding Truth]

26. Don't use Verizon. Losing business will teach them not to spy.

[HiPointDem]

71. You must not have read the part about how comcast & google already have similar patents.

[Posteritatis]

88. I imagine that would be made as difficult as legally possible. (nt)

[arcane1]

4. I sincerely hope that people will eventually get tired of ads in their face all the time

ESPECIALLY targeted ads!

[alp227]

44. I think any company pushing in-your-face ads

lacks any merit in its product.

[PDJane]

5. Creepy, intrusive, and utterly disgusting.

This is obscene.

[Brigid]

8. No, I don't like it at all.

If this crap keeps up, I may just have to get rid of all such equipment in my home. Maybe the Amish have the right idea. This is more than just creepy--it's downright dangerous.

[HiPointDem]

10. Orwell = prophet. How did he know? I have no doubt they'll 'sell' these to the population with

reduced rates for cable...& gradually it will become the norm. Just like those store cards were sold with reduced prices, so they could have a record of everything you bought.

[dembotoz]

9. towards the end of his life my dear old uncle al was convinced the tv was watching him

seems he was ahead of his time

seems like an aspect to every totalitarian syfi movie made in the last generation

do not like it
do not like it at all

[Matariki]

11. Fuck, I've been paranoid about the front facing camera in my Samsung tablet

Their creepy ad showing a happy user from the tablet's view didn't help that feeling one bit.

What you posted is SUPER creepy. Who the hell would want that? The question is whether they can legally have that technology without notifying consumers

[kestrel91316]

25. Cover the camera lens with a tiny piece of paper taped into place except when you WANT to use it.

[auntsue]

52. maybe I'm paranoid

but I covered the camera in my laptop after I read of a guy who hacked into people's computors and watching through the built-in cameras. If I ever want to make a video or get on skype I can just peel off the tape.

[HiPointDem]

69. Corporations and the national security state would want it. And who else matters, eh?

Do you remember the bits in 1984 about the spy cameras in all homes, parks, etc?

[think]

12. The iconic vision of Big Brother from 1984 is being patented by Verizon. Nice...

[HiPointDem]

70. "Comcast patented similar monitoring technology in 2008...Google proposed yet another patent..."

[AverageJoe90]

13. Somebody ought to start a petition.....

This is just plain unacceptable. Who in the hell do these CEOs think they are that they can spy on us? And yet, we blame government for all our problems............

[arcane1]

14. The easiest petition of them all: not buying one

I can't imagine even visiting a friend or relative who has such an infernal device in their home.

[HiPointDem]

18. Not buying one may solve the problem for you, but not for the population as a whole. Is there

any doubt that if it got you reduced rates for TV, plenty of people would go for that deal? And gradually, what was once the exception becomes the norm, & those who resist the shift are gradually excluded from other necessities. The same thing will happen with computers & now that lots of employers/banks mandate that payments must be computerized...there you go.

[arcane1]

20. That's exactly what worries me

Sadly, I have no doubt many people would rush out and buy one of these

[dixiegrrrrl]

34. I know we are outnumbered by the "average" person who will indeed dutifully get one of these things.

And all we can do is educate the smarter ones within our own sphere of influence.

Hate it, but seems to be human nature.

[woo me with science]

51. Well said. nt

[Hydra]

28. What if they don't tell you it's got the spygear inside?

That's the easiest option for this. You'll never know it's there...

[-..__...]

32. Imagine the public relations shit-storm, possible criminal charges and law suits...

if they did something like that?

[arcane1]

33. Indeed, I'm sure they are all lobbying to make it legal to hide that fact

[woo me with science]

42. They become ubiquitous,

or financial pressure is applied.

Case in point: The most recent patent for E-Z Pass, which countless American commuters use to pay less in tolls and avoid the hassle of toll booths during their commute, includes a camera INSIDE the car, monitoring the passengers.

If the choice becomes using this version or not having the discounts and the relief from toll stops, many commuters will be pressured into giving up their privacy.

Same for the Internet ID plan that's being quietly developed by the Obama administration. What little press there has been about it has stressed that it will be voluntary, but if you actually read the proposal, the entire thrust of it is to blanket the internet as quickly as possible and make it financially untenable for websites NOT to participate and require its use.

[Brigid]

66. What is the internet ID plan, exactly?

Sounds dangerous.

[woo me with science]

85. Single point of entry into internet transactions.

Sort of a "driver's license" for the internet. The plan is to require a single point of entry for internet transactions that will verify the user's identity, age, and eligibility for such transactions. A single password for everything. The government stresses now that it will be entirely voluntary and apply only to sensitive, e.g., financial, transactions, but the position paper is focused on using financial pressures to help it blanket the internet quickly and make it financially untenable for websites not to use it. IT professionals are arguing convincingly that single-point-of-entry decreases rather than increases security and creates a disturbing infrastructure for government surveillance and control of internet use:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002257531

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002257541

http://www.techi.com/2011/01/obamas-national-internet-id/

The proposal: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/NSTICstrategy_041511.pdf

[Brigid]

86. Wow.

This really does sound scary. Do you really have to be paranoid to see the potential danger in this?

Thanks for the links. This story needs much more publicity than it's been getting.

[woo me with science]

87. Many disturbing things are happening quietly.

When have you *ever* heard the President mention the massive new NSA spy center in Utah, that will give the government access to all Americans' phone calls and emails?

He signed ACTA and tried to keep it from the US press as a"national security" issue.

He certainly did not advertise to the public his support for warrantless wiretapping and strip searches for any arrestee, but pursued both all the way to the Supreme Court.

The growing police state is quietly bipartisan.

[slampoet]

15. The best tool child molesters ever had.

[tblue]

16. Big Brother!

This is terrifying! What next? There is every reason to believe this will be put to nefarious, though technically 'legal,' use.

[PennsylvaniaMatt]

17. "If there is hope, it lies in the Proles" - Orwell in 1984

I think it is good that 1984 was the first thing that came to many of our minds when we read this info....to serve as a constant reminder of a society that could become a reality if we are not vigilant.

[Smarmie Doofus]

19. I'm gonna hold out for the bedroom... no, the *bathroom* version. n/t

[-..__...]

21. Think of the possibilities here.

A simple piece of tape blocking any lens or mic should be sufficient for circumventing any unwanted intrusion.

Myself... I'd set-up a monitor (or some other video/audio playback device), in front of the box, and play an endless loop of the most vile, disgusting, stomach churning porn vids imaginable.

[Avalux]

27. Yes, it could be tons of fun messing with it.

Even still, I'd never PAY them to put a device in my home that could watch me. Creepy as hell.

[AlexSatan]

72. I'd just put a bicycle helmet mirror on it

so it could watch TV.

[wildbilln864]

22. k & r! nt

[LisaL]

23. All I need for the full happiness is my DVR spying on me.

[there_is_no_spoon]

24. It may be too late....

Snooping HDTV? Samsung Responds To Criticism
March 30th, 2012 · 4 Comments · 3D HDTV, Connected TVs, LED LCD Flat Panels, News, Plasma

undefined

HD Guru recently published an article entitled “Is your HDTV watching you?” In it, we discussed the fact that new features in Samsung’s top 2012 LED and plasma models — including built-in microphones, HDTV camera, wireless and wired Internet connection, built-in browser with voice to text conversion, face recognition and more — could be used to collect unprecedented personal information, as well as present a new way for hackers to invade users’ lives.


snip

Another issue is that Samsung effectively locks you into a privacy agreement before you can even use the Internet-based services of the TV. In part, this agreement reads:

We reserve the right to share all Personal Data and non-Personal Data with any company within the Samsung Electronics group of companies, or with any other company that operates under the Samsung brand. … Each of the Samsung Group Companies will use your information in accordance with their own independent privacy practices.

The complete article is found here:

[link:http://hdguru.com/snooping-hdtv-samsung-responds-to-criticism/7753/|

[lpbk2713]

29. We are the telephone company and we are here to help you.

.... regardless of what YOU want.

[lalalu]

54. I am getting old.

I can't remember her name and yet she was one of my favorites.

[MiniMe]

60. Lily Tomlin

[lalalu]

62. Thanks

[DocMac]

61. Lily Tomlin.

[lalalu]

63. Thanks

That was scary for a minute.

[grilled onions]

64. ernestine

always loved her digs about joan crawford and pepsi at a time they were feuding.

[lalalu]

65. Me too which is why

I can't believe I couldn't recall her name.

[Ter]

31. Why are people scared?

Just put a piece of black tape over the camera. Every camera has its hole (that sounded sexual, I know).

[NYC Liberal]

57. Ah but want to bet the TV won't play at all if it just sees black/nothing?

Trivial for us to block it, but also pretty trivial for them to get around that.

[MiniMe]

59. and what about the listening in?

[Posteritatis]

89. Why should that even have to be something to consider doing? (nt)

[graham4anything]

35. Wow! The Burns and Allen TV show of the 50s comes to life!

That is exactly what George Burns did to listen in to Gracie and Ronnie & Harry & his wife

not to mention all the times you yell at the tv, you are now yelling at someone

Elvis was ahead of his time when he shot his tv

[unc70]

36. Nothing new. Google researched tailoring ads to background sounds

This is old, old news. Have been able to mso that using SWF and other technology for years. Google tailored web ads to match background sounds - could match to television shows, sports, to recorded music, and much more.

Not sure if that project ever moved past the research phase. But integrating that with your (same) supplier of TV and Internet probably is legal in most locales.

Just think, they can micro target your TV ads in real time!

[cherokeeprogressive]

37. Nothing that can't be solved with a little tape.

[JDPriestly]

38. This is insane.

Voyeurism at its most extreme.

Imagine all the strange noises they are going to hear on those things, all the puzzling activity.

Imagine the human brain cells wasted in the creation of this invention.

How stupid do they think we are.

[arcane1]

67. They think we are stupid enough to be swayed by targeted ads

And they are correct in too many cases

[JDPriestly]

73. Some people keep the TV and DVR in their bedroom. I don't think they want a DVR

that snoops on them there?

This is the stupidest idea ever.

[RC]

39. ...sounds of “cuddling”?

What does cuddling sound like? Any cuddling that makes much of a sound isn't really cuddling, it's...

[pscot]

40. If you haven't done anything wrong

you have nothing to worry about.

[Swede Atlanta]

41. What if I'm having sex?

Will they be bombarding me with ads for condoms? Lubricating gels? Dildos?

This is something I would never allow in my home. I don't want "personalized" advertising. I abhor advertising in general. If I need something I go and buy it.

I don't need someone dangling something, no pun intended, around in front of my face to lure me to spend my money.

[alp227]

46. How will businesses survive without advertising?

[Brigid]

75. They survived this long . . .

Without spying on us in our homes. And if that is what it takes for them to survive, then I don't care if they do or not.

[Bainbridge Bear]

43. Welcome to the Machine,

boys and girls. This is the kind of creeping fascism that is destroying what is left of our republic and our democracy. The tragedy is that if it is implemented in carefully orchestrated steps the majority of the people will not mind. Remember the apologists of the greatly increased surveillance initiatives after 9/11 who claimed that "if you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about."Therein lies the problem because it is TPTB who are determining what is "wrong", not us. There is also pressure from the national "security" state to use drones to spy on you to the effect that the FAA is being pressured to deregulate the airspace over our communities to make the use of drones easier.

[FiveGoodMen]

45. Wasn't there a book about this a while back?

I think the title was just a number...

[The Wizard]

47. TVs

have always had that capability. Maybe they want it to watch people when it's off.

[sheshe2]

48. This is way to creepy!

Time to cancel the Tee Vee machine!

[Sunlei]

49. They would lose customers bigtime.

Though I suppose they could trick people, have it in the never read fine print.

Thats when hackers have a field day shopping home DVRs

[Old and In the Way]

50. Webcams in every room!

Then Verizon/Government could know the moment of conception...then we could protect all of these zagote-citizens! Only God would become the only approved abortioneer in our culture!

[RedCappedBandit]

53. Nope. That's not going in my living room.

No way.

[ThoughtCriminal]

55. I Can't wait to tell The Big Guy!

[Glamrock]

56. Faux news

"Tyranny reared it's ugly head yet again today. Real americans should be absolutely terrified by this Obama over-reach!....We all remember verizon companies accepting business from the Obama admin. in the form of political ads. Verizon is obviously in the tank for obama!", heard on the Shaun Hannity show in 3, 2, 1...

[lalalu]

58. "I like to watch"

Chauncey Gardiner

The freaks will hack and have a field day

[Trailrider1951]

68. Dear God, no no no! Verizon is now DEAD to me

You can have my VCR remote when you pry it from my cold dead hand!

[PD Turk]

74. Fever was right

...and he was way ahead of his time, he predicted this over 30 years ago

[Kalidurga]

77. The real cops are in on it lol

That was one of the best comedies on TV ever. I won't miss tv too much though. It hasn't been good for a while now.

[PD Turk]

80. I don't watch much modern stuff

We have a good classic TV station here and when I do watch tv, I spend my time revisiting a lot of old shows I loved when I was young ,TV was god back then

[putitinD]

76. they just sell it as a security cam.

people will be lined up to get one. (for their own protection of course).

[Kurovski]

78. I'm ordering the e-346, Gladys Kravitz model.

I thought cell phones already did that?

[wickerwoman]

79. But at least if you sit perfectly still with a cardboard box on your head

it will skip the ads altogether.

Sadly modern technology has already provided a solution in the form of Tivo.

[NBachers]

81. If it catches me constantly snoring in front of my TV will I be bombarded with stay-awake remedies?

Or maybe anti-snoring cures.

[Warren DeMontague]

82. I keep getting the STRANGEST ads on my tv!

[Heywood J]

83. Easy solution to this.

Roku, WDTV and other devices don't spy on you and don't require Verizon.

[sendero]

84. If a nanny-cam simple-ass obvious thing..

... like this can actually be granted a patent, then our patent system is a joke.

[Posteritatis]

90. The joke line was crossed when naturally occurring genomes started getting patented. (nt)