From Tin Foil Dept: Is Your New HDTV Watching You?

[BoredSysAdmin]

During our demo, unless the face recognition learning feature was activated, there was no indication as to whether the camera (such as a red light) and audio mics are on. And as far as the microphone is concerned the is no way to physically disconnect it or be assured it is not picking up your voice when you don't intend it to do so.

Source: Is Your New HDTV Watching You? | HD Guru
Via: Maybe Your New TV Is Watching You - The Consumerist

 

[BMXTRIX]

In the world of tin foil hats, I would say this is well outside that department.

With TVs being internet connected and new displays that do have built in cameras, and moreso microphones, the use of those two technologies, or at least one of them, to target advertisers is certainly not unrealistic, and if it hasn't, should really be expected at some point.

Google is the master of this... I'm doing home searches right now, and it seems that half of the advertisements I now see on different websites are Toll Brothers, or Ryan Homes or something similar. It started with my search, and has built from there.

But, the idea of tracking people's location or what they are saying is scary, but it is also very powerful and now plausible with the technologies we are inviting into our homes. A lot of good could come from it... Imagine cel phones tracking your location during commutes so it can see what routes truly are backed up, which ones are fastest, and can provide travel information that is far faster then what a typical GPS could offer and could deliver it in real time? What's the harm of just collecting some anonymous information to give such a great service?

But, at your home, you mention that you are getting ready to paint, and suddenly you start getting some targeted advertisements on your television about home remodeling, painting, different paint brands, etc... Not sure if I think that is not plausible anymore.

 

[Audioholics]

Might want to tape up that TV camera in the bedroom though...

 

[its phillip]

Or just don't give your tv internet access

 

[Beatmatcher247]

NDAA 2012 - Gives the United States Executive Branch the power to kidnap and even assassinate United States citizens without due process. "Anyone who has committed a belligerent act against the united states"... they use the words belligerent act because it is purposely vague. That could be interpreted to mean political opponent, anyone who speaks in a disapproving manner of the Federal Government.

National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order (March 16, 2012):

This executive order allows the president and his secretaries to seize all domestic resources including: Property, facilities, food, water, skilled labor (slavery to the state), and re-enacting the draft... Bill Clinton had a similar executive order during his term, but what is so shocking about Obama's is these simple words: "in times of war and peace."

» CIA Head: We Will Spy On Americans Through Electrical Appliances Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

This all comes after Leon Panetta testified to congress that the president doesn't need to seek approval from Congress to go to war, we need only seek approval from the United Nations.

War is upon us and if you aren't taking precautions you are already dead.

There is no limit to the evil that the handlers of the world's political elite propagate. We need to fight against and oust tyranny wherever it rears its ugly head! Lock and load or die in a concentration camp.

 

[gmichael]

1984 was slow getting here, but it's on the way.

 

[Hocky]

I run a corporate IT department and you wouldn't believe how many laptops we get back with tape over the camera. Paranoid people. haha

 

[Beatmatcher247]

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't after you.

 

[Midwesthonky]

I run a corporate IT department and you wouldn't believe how many laptops we get back with tape over the camera. Paranoid people. haha

I would be paranoid too after that incident where a school administrator activated the cameras on the school issued laptops and spied on kids. Do I block the camera on my company issued laptop? Yep!

Better to be paranoid than allow someone to invade your privacy.

 

[Hocky]

I would be paranoid too after that incident where a school administrator activated the cameras on the school issued laptops and spied on kids. Do I block the camera on my company issued laptop? Yep!

Better to be paranoid than allow someone to invade your privacy.

lol. Fair enough, I guess. They can read your email, too - you had better stick to snail mail. haha

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

lol. Fair enough, I guess. They can read your email, too - you had better stick to snail mail. haha

and see your IM's, web history, access your files, keep a record of your phone calls (in extreme cases the calls the themselves are recorded - I seen this done before)

 

[craig7]

NDAA 2012 - Gives the United States Executive Branch the power to kidnap and even assassinate United States citizens without due process. "Anyone who has committed a belligerent act against the united states"... they use the words belligerent act because it is purposely vague. That could be interpreted to mean political opponent, anyone who speaks in a disapproving manner of the Federal Government.

National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order (March 16, 2012):

This executive order allows the president and his secretaries to seize all domestic resources including: Property, facilities, food, water, skilled labor (slavery to the state), and re-enacting the draft... Bill Clinton had a similar executive order during his term, but what is so shocking about Obama's is these simple words: "in times of war and peace."

» CIA Head: We Will Spy On Americans Through Electrical Appliances Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

This all comes after Leon Panetta testified to congress that the president doesn't need to seek approval from Congress to go to war, we need only seek approval from the United Nations.

War is upon us and if you aren't taking precautions you are already dead.

There is no limit to the evil that the handlers of the world's political elite propagate. We need to fight against and oust tyranny wherever it rears its ugly head! Lock and load or die in a concentration camp.

canada is lookin pretty good lately... but seriously though when i heard about that a while ago it really pissed me off. still does for the exact reasons you stated. its actually pretty scary what they could do...

 

[dkane360]

canada is lookin pretty good lately... but seriously though when i heard about that a while ago it really pissed me off. still does for the exact reasons you stated. its actually pretty scary what they could do...

and you think the canadian border is going to stop them?

 

[Midwesthonky]

and see your IM's, web history, access your files, keep a record of your phone calls (in extreme cases the calls the themselves are recorded - I seen this done before)

Yep, that is why I carry a personal cell phone in addition to my work cell. People wonder why, but it's pretty simple. I can call whomever I want on my personal cell and it's nobody's business. Use my work cell and they can make it their business.

I know what most business travelers do with their laptops in hotels and such. I try to lead as boring of an existence with my work laptop as possible!! Of course, Audioholics is probably questionable and likely to get me a visit from HR... All kinds of torrid conduct here!