Comcast Wants to Put Cameras In Your Home

Conspiracy theorists are going to have a field day with this story. In fairness, so will just about everybody else. We hope.
Comcast is experimenting with camera technology. More specifically, it trying out technology that turns cable boxes into camera-equipped devices that would utilize body-form-recognition as a means to provide custom-tailored service, and, of course, custom tailored advertising. The boxes would be able to tell who is in the room based on the shape of their body, thus tailoring programming to fit their specific desires and security settings (when children are involved). Facial recognition is not in the works as of yet.
We should be clear: This is all in the experimental phase. There has been no consumer testing and Gerard Kunkel, Comcast's senior VP of user experience, stresses that any final decision is predicated on the boxes providing more to the viewer than just precision advertising.
Custom Tailored. Security. Efficient. Your New Best Friend. Now You Can Leave the Kids At Home With Super Cable Nanny! Those are hypothetical buzz-words and -phrases Comcast will most likely lay on in hearty layers if and when it begins to roll out this new technology.
Honestly, what is your immediate gut reaction when you hear that a massive corporation might want to place cameras that actually track your movements in your own home? We won't say what we think. Trust your gut reaction and don't let any amount of mediocre advertising sway you.
Security. Customization. Blah blah blah.
Gut Instinct.
From NewTeevee (via Rantings of a New Yorker)
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- U.S. Spy Agencies Build Their Own MySpace
- Sears Using Spyware To Monitor Your Personal Information





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Comments
116
Subscribe to commentsDuke WellingtonMar 30th 2008 5:46PM
Oh My God!!!! They are SPYING on us. First the Patriot Act and this. They are gonna watch us watching tv. Don't be stupid. It's not about spying it's about making money off of you, nothing more.
Besides it is hella cool. Soon they will read your thoughts and it will play anything you want. It will be cooler then anything you ever saw on Star Trek, and lamo conspiracy theorist who think they are being spied on will be left out.
p.s.
I like how people say get off your CPU and get out. How long where you on yours before you stumbled on to this site? Then you wrote get off the computer and tv then did what? Checked your Myspace??? Hmm...
tangolimaMar 30th 2008 7:49PM
This scheme is exactly what duct tape was made for...just cover the lens and problem solved.
loesmedMar 30th 2008 8:14PM
Relax folks, if you are dumb enough to subscribe to the services that put this sort of technology in your home then you deserve what you get. This type of converter box would be an extra charge, like the dvr boxes they rent to you. Don't sign up for it you won't be looked at. Use you heads. Better yet the box should have a log in. That way they could tailor the commercials delivered to the box based on your specific profile. OOPs theres that word again. but really don't blame Comcast, I read recently that stores are looking to place cameras that recognize you and start showing commercials just for you. Did you see Minority Report? Just like that. This other stuff is going to be too expensive for any cable company to deploy. Take my word for it. Tons of crazy ideas come down the pipe only to be by passed after testing on employees yeilds less than stellar results.
MikeMar 31st 2008 2:42PM
DO THE LETTERS "KGB" bring anything to mind
ErikMar 30th 2008 10:49PM
I say like so many of you yes this is a stupid idea. However if it is ever Released. I guaranteed that it won't be long before uncle Slams his two cents in and claims we Need it to save our country from the god-like uncatchable terrorists. And there whole Neo-fascist if your not with us then your with the terrorist propaganda. Probably Make Commcast back up all their footage for a couple years too. Sounds like a terrible nightmare to Me. Good bye 21st Century Hello 1984
RickMar 30th 2008 11:19PM
And aint it funny Feb of '09 we all have to have a digital "box" to watch TV...hahaha I'm already writing scripts for my "bedroom show" LOL.....hahahahahahaha
someoneMar 31st 2008 10:19PM
The camera would be great! Just think,if you haven't paid your cable bill the cable company will know when someone is home and call to tell you to pay up.
The cable company could even make money by selling this information to your boss and to your mortage company also to who ever you owe money to.
The cable company could also sell this info to your spouse and let your spouse know if there is more then one person in the house when you are suppose to be home alone.
With all the money your cable company will make with this type of service--Who knows the cable company might even let you have the cable box for free.
Don't be so skeptical and just enjoy BIG BROTHER CABLE.
EffinghamMar 31st 2008 1:39AM
Thank the Lord. At last I can feel safe at home while watching my favorite advertisements ... for only $50/mo.
GnarlodiousApr 1st 2008 9:59AM
LOL. It's gonna be like Minority Report. Closer every year.
AmosMar 31st 2008 9:49AM
Reminds me of this:
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Revelation 13:11-15
HannahMar 31st 2008 12:54PM
It doesn't surprise me that is in the pipe line. As well I don't have cable nor hardly watch telly, it's all crap. For those wanting to find out more, watch Dr. Deagle video 4 parts on google, an eye opener of mindblowing proportions. He speaks of all this and much more.
Pariah_social_outcastApr 1st 2008 12:27PM
Well, has anyone tried out google map on "street view" mode?? I see it is not active yet in all areas, but basically Google has it already so you can zoom in close enough to a person's (home) window and I assume that the gov. gets the upgraded version of this technology,lol. I bet they can view in your windows already. Inside your car... whatever who knows.
I thought voyeurism was illegal??? Excuse me..? The people inventing this technology seem like a bunch of power crazed perverts ...or SOMETHING. So yeh everyone go get Google Earth/ Map pick some fairly busy areas and try it for yourself. Hit "street mode" view and give it a second...then bam... you can view EVERYTHING and the masses apparently don't even know this is going on or what?
Damn.
Really..isn't voyeurism STILL ILLEGAL???
MarleeApr 1st 2008 6:17PM
1984, anyone?
steve dApr 2nd 2008 9:57AM
Dan says:
You people wanted Bush. You got him....
03/28/08 9:01 PM
hay stupid this has nothing to do with the patiot act it has to do with them perverts @ the cable co
HybridMomentsApr 15th 2008 7:46PM
Goodbye fascist Comcast and Directv. Your serviced will no longer be required from our house; this is quite disturbing and will be handled with care. How unconstitutional of you, I will introduce my box, receiver, dish, and television set to the door with you all. How pathetic.
SandyJun 15th 2011 9:11AM
None of this is true! You are all angry of a false article!