Verizon Files For Patent On Eavesdropping DVR

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A DVR with a built-in camera that eavesdrops on you in order to serve you targeted ads? Yeah, I see this going over well. :rolleyes:

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 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.

just tell us how it reacts to sounds of sweaty, ball-slapping, man-on-man action already...? i KNOW thats the orig idea behind this thing, Verizon. like that time you tried to bend me over a cellphone contract.... remember? stop hiding who you are.
 
"John Anderton, you look like you could use a Guinness!"
 
Hmmmm ... so when it hears that fapping sound in the background it offers you ads for escort services or extra absorbent towels :eek: ... wouldn't they be better served by offering you ads based on what you are actually watching on the DVR ;)
 
Well, at least with the patent we know nobody else will use it. That's an upside.
 
If you turn the camera to look at the TV, then it would see TV ads, and serve more ads that reflect those ads, and get stuck in an infinite loop of ads.

I'm sure after a couple of years of this it could potentially become aware of its own existence.
 
and all will be perfectly legal too because you'll give permission by "agreeing" to the 47 page licensing agreement that is automatically considered agreed once you use their product
 
Cablecard and HD homerun prime on self owned equipment.

Cheaper and I have control of the content.
 
This is not the country I grew up in, it's been taken over by pure sociopaths.
 
Cablecard and HD homerun prime on self owned equipment.

Cheaper and I have control of the content.

Only way to go.
Have an i3 based HTPC with a Ceton 4 tuner card and 2TB for recorded shows.
Also helps lower the electric bill, as it goes to sleep when not in use.
 
This is the most ridiculous act of privacy invasion I have heard of since the patriot act. Fuck you Verizon!
 
In other news, shortly after the release of Verizon's new Spy DVR there was a run on black Electrical Tape, causing a shortage nationwide.
 
If you turn the camera to look at the TV, then it would see TV ads, and serve more ads that reflect those ads, and get stuck in an infinite loop of ads.

I'm sure after a couple of years of this it could potentially become aware of its own existence.

Now that's brilliant :) Kinda like the apposing mirrors at a Barber Shop. They never end, and you expect the Angus Grimm from Phantasm to appear any second.
 
I think what's scary is that A) Someone came up with this to begin with B) His superiors said "Yea, that sounds like something we want our name tied to!"
 
Whats really scary about this story to me is that the Executives( read Million dollar+ salaries) came up with this idea that could be defeated by a small strip of tape!
Yup, this world is screwed.........
 
Let's see,they overcharged me for DSL service that was never much better than dial-up,never responded to support requests,refused to bring Fios into my area - and now they want to spy on me? Hey Verizon,can you hear me now - F**K YOU!!!
 
If you turn the camera to look at the TV, then it would see TV ads, and serve more ads that reflect those ads, and get stuck in an infinite loop of ads.

I'm sure after a couple of years of this it could potentially become aware of its own existence.

Or become as functionally useful as a philosophy professor.
 
The fact that this is even being considered is mind-blowing.

I'm with you on this Monkey. I can't even fathom why they would proposition this, especially considering they fight so vehemently to not turn records over to the MPAA/RIAA.
 
I won't mention the obvious ... that anyone even suggesting such a thing should be summarily shot in the face. :cool::p

I only want to know this.... will it be a DMCA violation to cover the camera and/or mic? :eek::rolleyes:
 
I won't mention the obvious ... that anyone even suggesting such a thing should be summarily shot in the face. :cool::p

I only want to know this.... will it be a DMCA violation to cover the camera and/or mic? :eek::rolleyes:

No, they just won't let you have their service.

I could see them saying an unobstructed camera is the price of admission. Of course they could sugar coat it and say is that it Automatically Pauses when it detects you leave the room.
 
When does it end?
Every facet of life they want to target ads to you be it in game or real world. I am so sick of it. And they wonder why people get paranoid.
 
When does it end?
Every facet of life they want to target ads to you be it in game or real world. I am so sick of it. And they wonder why people get paranoid.

Well the NSA, CIA, DHS, FBI, UNSC, USSS, DEA, MSNBC did think this was a great idea! I mean, for commercials, not for surveillance or anything intrusive. :)

I take it very soon is when we're supposed to revolt against the confines that are being built around us? I'm still waiting for someone to start monitoring my dumps (Bill Gates new toilet?) and sell me what is missing in my diet.

Well, off to graze on the farm. moooo!
 
Just wait untl the ads start showing up for the people who frequent Cinemax, Showtime, and The Movie Channel after midnight.
 
where i'm lost is... 50 years later why are ads still used? They have never worked on me and like... most people i know change the channel, shut off the tv, or just acquire the content adfree elsewhere.

all i can think of is that content creators spin the numbers to make it look profitable so companies continue to spend on televised advertising.

was this EXACTLY the way 1984 had this described? the viewscreen that can see and hear you
 
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