amungusPremium
join:2004-11-26
America Reviews:
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| telescreen The "fictional" "Telescreen" is here...
Heck, laptops, cell phones, etc. already have little eyes and ears.
Cox clearly states (in the finest of fine print) that they do monitor what you watch with a DVR. Essentially a "Nielsen" system for every DVR... Many companies already scour these stats, and success/failure of shows can even rest on the numbers from them...
Now they want the all seeing eye in every room.
If people are so enthralled with their vehicles having onstar which can listen to you at any time, I don't see there being a massive opposition to this. That, and cell phones can also track your whereabouts and probably idle conversation, the occasional picture/video, and you'd never know it happened.
Sure, lots won't agree with it, but I'd bet on the "common idiot" having no worries and thinking "I've got nothing to hide" won't care one bit.
While they're at it, they'll probably sell "security" services eventually. Works for onstar, and people pay for it gladly...
Yes, there were "rumors" of Nielsen doing similar things, even way back. Only box I've ever seen couldn't have had any such technology. You had to tell it how many viewers were there, age, and sex. It looked like something out of 1987 with its little LED indicators and very square design. Installed on a Trinitron TV where the installer had to drill a hole in the set to go inline with the RF tuner (for analog cable in this case). Quite an impressive job, but I don't imagine they like having to pay for the tech to do this.
Instead, all they have to do now is force you to get a box for cable service and far more invasive technology is suddenly in your house.
People will probably eat this crap up. As much as anyone here, or elsewhere complains, it'll end up being accepted by massive amounts of people who can't think for themselves. |
|
 major marcoRes Firma Mitescere NescitPremium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA | said by amungus:Cox clearly states (in the finest of fine print) that they do monitor what you watch with a DVR. Not saying I debate it, but where exactly is this clause found in the TOS. Do you have a link? |
|
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
kudos:1 | reply to amungus
said by amungus:Cox clearly states (in the finest of fine print) that they do monitor what you watch with a DVR. Essentially a "Nielsen" system for every DVR... Many companies already scour these stats, and success/failure of shows can even rest on the numbers from them... So they will know how many people rewound then paused to see a woman. Plus you can create a targeted audience for Viagra sales based on the length of the pause.
While they're at it, they'll probably sell "security" services eventually. Works for onstar, and people pay for it gladly...
Great idea, patent it. Have the camera record 5 fps or motion activated to the DVR HD, or send it to the headend live via new D3. I can't see what the privacy problems would be. |
|
|
|
amungusPremium
join:2004-11-26
America Reviews:
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to major marco
"Some digital video recorder services collect usage information. If this applies, we will tell you when you receive the DVR."
»ww2.cox.com/aboutus/sandiego/pol···cies.cox
Closest thing I could find for you online after a quick search...
...Mine did come with a pamphlet explaining that they do indeed collect usage info regarding DVR use, but do not collect info on what is recorded... In other words, they can see what channel your tuner is on, maybe a few details on what else is going on with the device, but not necessarily what's actually being saved on the hard drive. |
|
major marcoRes Firma Mitescere NescitPremium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA | said by amungus:"Some digital video recorder services collect usage information. If this applies, we will tell you when you receive the DVR." » ww2.cox.com/aboutus/sandiego/pol···cies.coxClosest thing I could find for you online after a quick search... ...Mine did come with a pamphlet explaining that they do indeed collect usage info regarding DVR use, but do not collect info on what is recorded... In other words, they can see what channel your tuner is on, maybe a few details on what else is going on with the device, but not necessarily what's actually being saved on the hard drive. Thx for that research. I'm in Orange County but I'm very sure the same policy applies to DVR users up here. There is a similar policy with regard to subscriber data and the channels/pkgs you select, but you can opt out of the company sharing that data with any third parties. You'd have to check your Cox Privacy Notice and/or Customer Notice if interested. I don't think either are available online (at least not for Orange County). You'd have to request same in writing from the Cox local office. I believe down there it's in Kearney Mesa.
--
The Toll
Tracking Lord Stanley
|
|
amungusPremium
join:2004-11-26
America Reviews:
·AT&T DSL Service
| No problem 
Probably do have similar policies. Don't think Cox gets the same level of detailed logs that Tivo does (everybody rewound Janet's "wardrobe malfunction), but they can tell what channel the tuner(s) are set to etc...
Hearing that thing about Tivo is kind of eye opening though, and I read the fine print on my "notice" when getting the DVR, but it said specifically that they don't track what's being recorded... If it's on a channel, it's buffering what you see anyway...
As for Cox's policy, I think you can request the little booklet from the local office or from a customer service rep.
Overall, I don't care if they see what channel I'm on, but would seriously object to having an "eye" into my living room. The current policy seems pretty non-invasive in my opinion. If it's true, it's definitely less invasive than Tivo's monitoring of every single remote click.
Tivo monitoring through the ages 
...
2002
»news.cnet.com/Nielsen-begins-mon···580.html
2004
»blogcritics.org/scitech/article/···brother/
2007
»www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/tivo-···tistics/
2009
»www.geek.com/articles/news/tivo-···0090421/ |
|
