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Verizon DVR Would Study Your Behavior For Targeted Ads
Tech Would Even Know if Fido Was in the Room

Verizon is the latest to file for a patent that would allow the company to use set top cameras and microphones to monitor your living room, all so they can send you more targeted advertisements. We've already seen similar patents from Microsoft and Comcast, with the idea raising eyebrows due to intrusiveness and potential privacy violations.

Verizon's new patent for set top box technology (full patent application here) appears to take things even further, using cameras and microphones to send ads based on whether viewers are cuddling, or even if there's a pet in the room:
quote:
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If the detection system determines that a couple is arguing, a service provider would be able to send an ad for marriage counseling to a TV or mobile device in the room. If the couple utters words that indicate they are cuddling, they would receive ads for "a romantic getaway vacation, a commercial for a contraceptive, a commercial for flowers," or commercials for romantic movies, Verizon states in the patent application.
So far these ideas have been patented, but have never made it to production due to privacy outrage. However, as our right to privacy diminishes further and further, don't be surprised to find your DVR and television watching you sometime in the next decade.
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tpkatl
join:2009-11-16
Dacula, GA

1 recommendation

tpkatl

Member

Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

How many more adjectives can I use?

Talk about intrusiveness. Big Brother times five.

How a company could see that this is even remotely desirable (not to mention legal) is beyond me.

TrainBuff
The New Haven Railroad
Premium Member
join:2003-05-01
Buffalo, NY

1 edit

TrainBuff

Premium Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

I have two words...NO WAY! I value my privacy.

Corehhi
join:2002-01-28
Bluffton, SC

1 recommendation

Corehhi

Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

said by TrainBuff:

I have two words...NO WAY! I value my privacy.

What fun a couple of 300 pounders going at it on the couch while watching a skin flick.......LOL. Condom ads????

TrainBuff
The New Haven Railroad
Premium Member
join:2003-05-01
Buffalo, NY

3 recommendations

TrainBuff

Premium Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

said by Corehhi:

said by TrainBuff:

I have two words...NO WAY! I value my privacy.

What fun a couple of 300 pounders going at it on the couch while watching a skin flick.......LOL. Condom ads????

Or an ad for a new couch.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt to tpkatl

Premium Member

to tpkatl
said by tpkatl:

How a company could see that this is even remotely desirable (not to mention legal) is beyond me.

If you agree to it, why not? (not sure why anyone would, but look at all the WAY TOO MUCH INFORMATION stuff posted on facebook/twitter/YouTube/etc)

It's hardly big brother which would imply it was forced on you by the Gov't.
mdlund0
join:2011-08-02
Lawrence, KS

mdlund0

Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

But that is how it begins... by all of us accepting something that we initially think of as trivial and inconsequential. What happens when everyone has willingly accepted these things and they become the status quo, only to have some agency of government realize that they could be used for another purpose?

NormanS
I gave her time to steal my mind away
MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
TP-Link TD-8616
Asus RT-AC66U B1
Netgear FR114P

NormanS to tshirt

MVM

to tshirt
said by tshirt:

It's hardly big brother which would imply it was forced on you by the Gov't.

Unless the provider offered the choice of a DVR without the cameras, then it is a forced deal. "Sorry, you have to take the camera model, or no DVR" is a likely Corporate offer.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

1 recommendation

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

IF that ultimatum happened, I believe MOST people would refuse, the providers DVR profits would suffer greatly ( a lot more than they would gain from targeted ad fees) and they would have a warehouse full of dusty DVR's.
I think more likely would be to get people to take these with the cameras turned off, and then have promos like "free" showtime for 6 months, IF you let us watch you ("gather data" might sound less voyerish )
Or offering xbox-ish kinect type games for free.
People should outright reject this for hacking reasons (both external and the company (or rogue employees ) "accidently" turning your box on) and the slippery slope this represents, but some will agree without thinking about the long term.
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt to NormanS

Member

to NormanS
Why does everyone think this technology requires a DVR to function. This snoop-ware can be incorporated in any Set Top Box.

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

said by Mr Matt:

Why does everyone think this technology requires a DVR to function. This snoop-ware can be incorporated in any Set Top Box.

It could be, but it won't. Since Verizon requires a set top box to receive channels, incorporating something like this would be a legal minefield. But if they keep it limited to DVRs, thus a "premium" device, they can get away with it unchallenged.

NormanS
I gave her time to steal my mind away
MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA
TP-Link TD-8616
Asus RT-AC66U B1
Netgear FR114P

NormanS to Mr Matt

MVM

to Mr Matt
said by Mr Matt:

Why does everyone think this technology requires a DVR to function. This snoop-ware can be incorporated in any Set Top Box.

I expect that any Internet connected device with a camera, integrated, or add-on, could be co-opted by a third party. It was with considerable trepidation that I added a web-cam to my desktop. What if the Logitech software phones home and permits some remote operator to access the camera?

Such devices must be fully and unequivocally under the control of the end user.
TheMG
Premium Member
join:2007-09-04
Canada

TheMG

Premium Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

I'm probably a little paranoid, but I physically disconnect my webcam when I'm not using it, and I also turn my microphone off (it's a stage mic with a USB powered pre-amp that I built myself).
mdlund0
join:2011-08-02
Lawrence, KS

1 recommendation

mdlund0 to tpkatl

Member

to tpkatl
No words, just a number: 1984.
en103
join:2011-05-02

1 recommendation

en103

Member

Re: Creepy. Scary. Ugly.

We're already there with our cell phones / tablets/ PC's that already have remote control by big brother at some level (time to run Linux).

I'll just say this - no TV in the bedroom

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One to tpkatl

MVM

to tpkatl
said by tpkatl:

How many more adjectives can I use?

Talk about intrusiveness. Big Brother times five.

How a company could see that this is even remotely desirable (not to mention legal) is beyond me.

Oh I'm sure you would see a lot of complaining by people who frequent this site. But all Verizon would have to do is waive the DVR rental fee in exchange for "subscribing" to this, and the general public would eat it up. American's have proven time and again that they will happily trade their souls for a discount.
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd to tpkatl

Premium Member

to tpkatl
I would not be shocked that if such DVRs across all carriers became common place that the government would go off and demand warrantless DVR camera tapping to go with their already legal spying of other communications.

Typical consumer will never even care, While the tech savvy will put black electrical tape over the camera.

CptSpaulding
join:2009-07-21
Cincinnati, OH

CptSpaulding

Member

I like to watch TV naked.

Have fun! I see if Direct TV ever did this my camera would be shut off quickly, or, animal control would be called that there is a bear loose in my house.

NOCTech75
Premium Member
join:2009-06-29
Marietta, GA

1 recommendation

NOCTech75

Premium Member

Re: I like to watch TV naked.

said by CptSpaulding:

Have fun! I see if Direct TV ever did this my camera would be shut off quickly, or, animal control would be called that there is a bear loose in my house.

Either that or Animal Planet would be contacted and you would be on an episode of Finding Bigfoot.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678

Member

just put the box in a cabinet

just put the box in a cabinet out of the way.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: just put the box in a cabinet

said by Joe12345678:

just put the box in a cabinet out of the way.

Remote control??

Mr Obvious
@mycingular.net

Mr Obvious

Anon

Re: just put the box in a cabinet

RF Remote.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678 to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
RF just like how my directv box is setup.

compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN

compuguybna

Member

Use Pin Hole Camera and it wouldn't be obvious.

All they'd have to do is install a "pin-hole" camera in the front of the receiver, and/or make it like an IR/RF remote control port, and user's would never know anything about it. It would not be obvious at all. CREEPY!

Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium Member
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1

Anonymous_

Premium Member

Re: Use Pin Hole Camera and it wouldn't be obvious.

said by compuguybna:

All they'd have to do is install a "pin-hole" camera in the front of the receiver, and/or make it like an IR/RF remote control port, and user's would never know anything about it. It would not be obvious at all. CREEPY!

IR relay would take care of it.

DataDoc
My avatar looks like me, if I was 2D.
Premium Member
join:2000-05-14
Hedgesville, WV

DataDoc to compuguybna

Premium Member

to compuguybna
Nothing a piece of electrical tape wouldn't solve.
Body Count
join:2010-09-11
Columbus, OH
Netgear CM1000
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter ER-4
Ubiquiti U6-Pro

Body Count

Member

LOL

This will never happen lol. Too many privacy issues.

And if it did happen, whats stopping the government from getting a court order to see these records in an event of a crime?

Nope. Too easy to block as well. Piece of black tape could stop the video and audio feed.
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

2 recommendations

Mr Matt

Member

Re: LOL

Knowing the way these parasites think they will use the camera as the receiver for the remote control so no snoope, remote no workie. Then when the subscriber escalates blocking snooping by placing an opaque material like magic tape over the camera opening the CATV operator will modify the remote receiver to require clear view of remote to operate. Will the CATV operator compensate the subscriber for selling unintended porn created by having a STB in the bedroom. After all the ISP's will sell anything about the subscribers account activity or viewing habits they can profit from whether or not the subscriber approves. The TOS will include a clause allowing the CATV operator to report any illegal activity seen or heard to the appropriate enforcement agency while holding the CATV operator harmless for such reporting.

EDIT: By The Way watch the movie Fahrenheit 451 where you will see a demonstration of a snooping system and a flat screen television.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678

Member

Re: LOL

said by Mr Matt:

Knowing the way these parasites think they will use the camera as the receiver for the remote control so no snoope, remote no workie. Then when the subscriber escalates blocking snooping by placing an opaque material like magic tape over the camera opening the CATV operator will modify the remote receiver to require clear view of remote to operate. Will the CATV operator compensate the subscriber for selling unintended porn created by having a STB in the bedroom. After all the ISP's will sell anything about the subscribers account activity or viewing habits they can profit from whether or not the subscriber approves. The TOS will include a clause allowing the CATV operator to report any illegal activity seen or heard to the appropriate enforcement agency while holding the CATV operator harmless for such reporting.

EDIT: By The Way watch the movie Fahrenheit 451 where you will see a demonstration of a snooping system and a flat screen television.

and will some one at the cable co do time for child porn when the camera get's a shot of a kid in his room??
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

1 recommendation

decifal7 to Body Count

Member

to Body Count
said by Body Count:

This will never happen lol. Too many privacy issues.

And if it did happen, whats stopping the government from getting a court order to see these records in an event of a crime?

Nope. Too easy to block as well. Piece of black tape could stop the video and audio feed.

many many sheep would never think to even be aware to look for it though.. It will be done.. For our protection of course

OSUGoose
join:2007-12-27
Columbus, OH

1 recommendation

OSUGoose

Member

So

What if the DVR sees/hears sex in progress, is it going to deliver parenting class ads, or baby related ads, or abortion ads. What if it thinks the girl is underage, will it call the police?
me1212
join:2008-11-20
Lees Summit, MO

1 recommendation

me1212

Member

Re: So

Depends, is the boy under-age too?

••••••••••
en103
join:2011-05-02

1 recommendation

en103 to OSUGoose

Member

to OSUGoose
What if someone is watching a political debate and states something anti-government. Will there be an FBI raid on their house ?
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt to OSUGoose

Member

to OSUGoose
Make sure that you do not set off the 69 Alarm! The sex police will check for sodomy and gonorrhea or is it Sodom and Gomorrah?

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties

Premium Member

Kinect next...

I read MS wants to use the Kinect for more than gaming...
-who is watching in the room
-how many and are they tied to Live accounts
-facial recognition to determine happy, sad, mad or other reaction to viewing

And people will accept it if "free for limited time" or if there is some financial reward (points, $, gifts, rebates...) just like Nielson uses for their pager-thing.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

The scariest technology I have heard of in a long time

This is simply the most frightening technology I have heard of in a long time. This will put cameras and microphones in your house so that your every action can be examined in order to sell products and services to you.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: The scariest technology I have heard of in a long time

said by morbo:

This is simply the most frightening technology I have heard of in a long time. This will put cameras and microphones in your house so that your every action can be examined in order to sell products and services to you.

Will never happen w/o opt-out capability built in to the system. And of course there is always the electrical tape option for the camera.
19579823 (banned)
An Awesome Dude
join:2003-08-04

1 recommendation

19579823 (banned) to morbo

Member

to morbo

 

Yes its complete BS and no one should accept this garbage!!
Os
join:2011-01-26
US

Os

Member

And Yet.....

......we pay $20+ a month for these things?

If there was ever a time to start building your own, here it is.

Dominokat
"Hi"
Premium Member
join:2002-08-06
Boothbay, ME

Dominokat

Premium Member

Tape


I think this is very creepy of any company or business to do. It goes well beyond the right of privacy inside ones home.

But if this ever came to pass. A piece of black tape to cover up the camera and microphone.
*Solved

banditws6
Shrinking Time and Distance
Premium Member
join:2001-08-18
Frisco, TX

1 recommendation

banditws6

Premium Member

Agreed, but better yet...

...Cancel your service from these hosers. Problem really solved.

momoo
@rr.com

momoo

Anon

what

what was my wife doing thanks verizon

jjoshua
Premium Member
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ

jjoshua

Premium Member

Calm down...

It's just a patent.

•••
fibergeorge
join:2012-12-03
Clarksville, TN

fibergeorge

Member

Early april fools joke?

i can only hope that no one seriously thinks this would ever be allowed... or will it?
tired_runner
Premium Member
join:2000-08-25
CT
·Frontier FiberOp..

tired_runner

Premium Member

Simple solution to a big problem

Cut the cord, don't get cable TV at all.

Now if that's not an option, there's always CableCARD and your own cable TV-enabled computers that will work with CableCARD.

Not only are you avoiding monthly rental fees, but you're also doing away with this stupid, intrusive snooping.
brianiscool
join:2000-08-16
Tampa, FL

brianiscool

Member

Tv Card

This is the reason why you should purchase a TV card and a TIVO.

AVD
Respice, Adspice, Prospice
Premium Member
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ

1 recommendation

AVD

Premium Member

Re: Tv Card

so TiVo can license the patent and sell what you are doing.

incognito_2u
join:2005-03-15
Malverne, NY

incognito_2u

Member

Verizon DVR Would Study Your Behavior....

I'm still waiting for someone to say....."April Fool's !!!!"

antdude
Matrix Ant
Premium Member
join:2001-03-25
US

antdude

Premium Member

Re: Verizon DVR Would Study Your Behavior....

said by incognito_2u:

I'm still waiting for someone to say....."April Fool's !!!!"

We wish!

Tokidoki
Premium Member
join:2002-08-26
South Richmond Hill, NY

Tokidoki

Premium Member

I wonder...

What kind of ad would I get if it catches me masturbating?

Dating service number? Lube?

Do not want.
tired_runner
Premium Member
join:2000-08-25
CT

tired_runner

Premium Member

Re: I wonder...

LOL
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

1 edit

1 recommendation

Mr Matt to Tokidoki

Member

to Tokidoki
Inflatable sex dolls direct from Japan!

EDIT: Verizon will also be able to tell you how you measure up and present an ad for Viagra!

Kramer
Mod
join:2000-08-03
Richmond, VA

Kramer

Mod

Let's see how well that works out for them

It is just a patent, but Verizon is annoyingly obtrusive already. If Comcast offered anything close to the number of HD channels, I'd be dumping Verizon in a few months when my contract expires. I am so sick of hitting the DVR button only to be greeted by 20 seconds of no response, followed by some ad that Verizon wants me to see that delays how long it is I can do what I want to do. Then there are the annoying balloons in the upper right corner of the screen. I just get the feeling that Verizon doesn't give a darn about privacy.
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd

Premium Member

Bill per Viewer?

How long until the MPAA pushes for this tech to be required in STBs I wonder. I am sure they would love to have PPV be not just a flat 4-5 bucks but be 4-5 bucks per viewer, with scans every 15min and then a viewer number average billed at the end so that nobody can cheat their system by ordering with only one person in the room.

Okay its not really likely but I cannot say I would be surprised if the thought crossed their minds.

tlylework
@steadfastdns.net

tlylework

Anon

Re: Bill per Viewer?

?? What's the big deal? Can't you just put a piece of tape over the camera, unhook the mic?

Think is I cannot wait till you hear a story about these being hacked and spied upon by pervs.
Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL

Joe12345678 to Kearnstd

Member

to Kearnstd
said by Kearnstd:

How long until the MPAA pushes for this tech to be required in STBs I wonder. I am sure they would love to have PPV be not just a flat 4-5 bucks but be 4-5 bucks per viewer, with scans every 15min and then a viewer number average billed at the end so that nobody can cheat their system by ordering with only one person in the room.

Okay its not really likely but I cannot say I would be surprised if the thought crossed their minds.

well what about systems with a 1 master box and a dumb box at each tv that don't have any tech other then hdmi out and remote in + a network link?
ShellMMG
join:2009-04-16
Grass Lake, MI

ShellMMG

Member

Just...no.

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