A new idea from major television companies could place a video camera in your DVR to watch you while you’re watching TV.
The camera would be watching and listening to you to see the going-ons of your living room.
The companies then, based on what the camera would see and what you would be doing at the time, could tailor commercials specific to you instead of running random ads.
Verizon and Comcast have already filed patents for a DVR with a camera in it to track what you’re doing while watching your favorite shows.
While this isn’t a product that’s on the shelves now, it’s something that could be used in the future.
We asked some TV viewers how they would feel about a camera watching them in their home. Shanice Tucker says the idea makes her feel uncomfortable. “Why would you want something watching you? I don’t like that.” Justin Farabaugh, agreed. “I would not want to have someone watch me watch TV.”
Many people we talked to said they don’t like the idea. “I really think that’s an invasion of your personal privacy. I mean, that’s pretty creepy.” Farabaugh said.
“It is kind of an invasion of privacy cause whatever you want to do or watch in your own house – it should be nobody’s business. They shouldn’t do that at all.” Said Josh Manning.
Verizon issued a statement on the technology to CBS 21 saying:
“Verizon has a well-established track record of respecting its customers’ privacy and protecting their personal information. As a company that prizes innovation, Verizon takes pride in its innovators whose work is represented in our patents and patent applications. While we do not comment on pending patent applications, such futuristic patent filings by innovators are routine.”
Another viewer, Greg Walsh, said he thinks the idea could work. “It makes sense kind of what they’re doing I can see because it’s going to tailor make your commercial for you and you know, it’s gonna make it more effective I think, you’re not gonna see commercials you don’t want to see.”
Walsh thinks that this is the way technology is moving, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to buy the product. “What if you’re getting cozy on the couch, ya know? Right, exactly. Exactly. Um – so what, they’re gonna have like a condom ad or something to come up?”
But the question many are wondering is – who would be on the other side of the camera? “I guess the question is who is watching the cameras and who has access to that," Walsh said.
While many people weren’t hot on the idea of someone watching them while they’re at home, they did like the idea of having commercials tailored towards them – so maybe in the future there will be some technology to do just that without invading privacy.
The camera would be watching and listening to you to see the going-ons of your living room.
The companies then, based on what the camera would see and what you would be doing at the time, could tailor commercials specific to you instead of running random ads.
Verizon and Comcast have already filed patents for a DVR with a camera in it to track what you’re doing while watching your favorite shows.
While this isn’t a product that’s on the shelves now, it’s something that could be used in the future.
We asked some TV viewers how they would feel about a camera watching them in their home. Shanice Tucker says the idea makes her feel uncomfortable. “Why would you want something watching you? I don’t like that.” Justin Farabaugh, agreed. “I would not want to have someone watch me watch TV.”
Many people we talked to said they don’t like the idea. “I really think that’s an invasion of your personal privacy. I mean, that’s pretty creepy.” Farabaugh said.
“It is kind of an invasion of privacy cause whatever you want to do or watch in your own house – it should be nobody’s business. They shouldn’t do that at all.” Said Josh Manning.
Verizon issued a statement on the technology to CBS 21 saying:
“Verizon has a well-established track record of respecting its customers’ privacy and protecting their personal information. As a company that prizes innovation, Verizon takes pride in its innovators whose work is represented in our patents and patent applications. While we do not comment on pending patent applications, such futuristic patent filings by innovators are routine.”
Another viewer, Greg Walsh, said he thinks the idea could work. “It makes sense kind of what they’re doing I can see because it’s going to tailor make your commercial for you and you know, it’s gonna make it more effective I think, you’re not gonna see commercials you don’t want to see.”
Walsh thinks that this is the way technology is moving, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to buy the product. “What if you’re getting cozy on the couch, ya know? Right, exactly. Exactly. Um – so what, they’re gonna have like a condom ad or something to come up?”
But the question many are wondering is – who would be on the other side of the camera? “I guess the question is who is watching the cameras and who has access to that," Walsh said.
While many people weren’t hot on the idea of someone watching them while they’re at home, they did like the idea of having commercials tailored towards them – so maybe in the future there will be some technology to do just that without invading privacy.