Big Red Is Watching You

Verizon Files Patent For DVR That Watches Viewers, Delivers Targeted Ads Based On What It Sees. Reader J. Wallace Oman sent me this Huffpo article about a new Verizon patent that describes software that uses your TV and its camera to watch users and track their movements. In addition to the Big Brother vibe, the patent describes software that can make suggestions of products to you based on what it sees. Uh, I really don't want my TV to become an extension of SWMBO, and comment on the time I spend watching football on my TV. I can hear it now: "Do you really need to watch three football games in one day?" Of course, it isn't much of a stretch to go from there to the population control or thought police. Just exactly how much in home monitoring do we need? I love Big Red. But, this is creepy. I suggest that the next time you are TV shopping, and the ads say "Smart TV", that you inquire how smart it is. If it talks back to you and says: "You need to go on a diet", run like hell.