TV's that watch you while you watch them

Discussion in 'privacy general' started by TheWindBringeth, Mar 22, 2012.

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  1. TheWindBringeth

    TheWindBringeth Registered Member

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    http://yro.slashdot.org/story/12/03/21/2117236/new-samsung-tv-watches-you-watching-it

    As one comment points out, IP traffic can be routed over coax so TVs which phone home may not (always) be rendered safe simply by not providing a separate network connection. I also believe some have Wi-Fi built-in, so you'd have to watch out for that including the possibility that it will use an open one if you don't configure another. On top of that were reports, quite some time ago IIRC, of cable providers such as Comcast experimenting with converter boxes that have cameras built into them.

    Lovely, huh? I was at a friend's house recently and we got to talking about newer TVs. She remarked how some of the new models supposedly will respond to gestures and who is in the room, adding "that's so cool, I'd love something like that". My "what if it snaps and phones home pics of you while you are having sex on the couch with your boyfriend" didn't seem to phase her. So trusting the masses are, even though they have absolutely no idea of what functionality is built into the devices in question and what functionality could be enabled from afar. Unfortunately, their purchasing habits affect what is brought to market and those of us with more sophisticated privacy oriented views will suffer the consequences. That probably sounds a bit arrogant... may actually be arrogant... but I think it is the truth too :(
     
  2. x942

    x942 Guest

    Glad I don't have cable and only use a HTPC I built.
     
  3. Ranget

    Ranget Registered Member

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    Not Really Sure :/
    Internet TV such as Sony new one
    with webcam on it probably a stupid idea also Don't forget the hackers that Looking through it cam
     
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