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Could Verizon Someday Be ‘Peeking Into Your Life’ While You Watch TV?

Dec. 6, 2012 9:35am Liz Klimas

Verizon Files Patent for Technology That Would Sense What Users Are Doing While Watching TV in Their Home

(Image: Shutterstock.com)

With the way technology and data tracking is evolving to allow for targeted advertising, companies have filed patents for everything from “Minority Report” style billboards to background noise tracking in phones. Along a similar vein, Verizon recently filed a patent that would spy on users while they were watching TV.

According to the demurely named patent “Methods and Systems for Presenting an Advertisement Associated with an Ambient Action of a User,” a device — perhaps associated with the set-top cable box – with the ability to sense what the user was doing while the TV was on would target advertising toward them accordingly.

Verizon wrote that such technology could be beneficial because traditional advertising might not work well if the viewer is doing anything besides watching the commercials.

By taking in such information — like if the viewer is “eating, exercising, laughing, reading, sleeping, talking, singing, humming, cleaning, playing a musical instrument, performing any other suitable action, engaging in any other physical activity during the presentation of the media content” or playing with a mobile phone in front of the TV — would allow the company to present a better “selected advertisement during the advertisement break” that could draw the user’s attention.

The device could include a camera, depth sensor (e.g., an infrared laser projector combined with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) sensor), audio sensor and thermal sensor. The patent does mention a “detection zone,” which would be a physical space or range where it would be appropriate for the sensors to pick up information on the users.

A bit freaked out? We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: just because a company files a patent does not mean they will ever make the technology a reality. As Gizmodo put it, “how many of these patents actually turn into products, anyway?” It also speculated that if the idea ever did come to fruition, it would require the user to opt-in “before peeking into your life.”

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.

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Comments (43)

sflamom
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 10:41am
It’s time to get off the grid…

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- mecanic
  Posted on December 7, 2012 at 12:46pm
  a-men to that.my personal business is NONE OF THERE’S.
  
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DZ-015
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 9:48am
This is nothing a well paced EMP couldn’t fix.

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Dano.50
Posted on December 7, 2012 at 9:44am
What the heck is it, with this, “If you’re not doing anything wrong, why should you care who’s watching or monitoring?” justification.

There’s a ton of things we do in the privacy of our own homes that have nothing to do with being illegal.

State of dress just for starters.

Does everybody get completely dressed for a trip to the bathroom? Or if you think you’re alone, slip from the shower to the bedroom if you forgot to bring in clean clothes or a towel?

TSA employees have already been caught stealing. And selecting better looking women for those more thorough scans or pat downs.

And that hasn’t even started on WHO decides what’s right and wrong.

How bad were the communists countries for monitoring their citizens, and that was when some serious manpower had to be expended to watch an individual.

With computer programs one person can monitor thousands.

A program that reads heat signatures can easily be altered to activated a tv if the body heat pattern shows even heat instead of just hands, head and feet.

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Ruinedlife70
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 9:57pm
It is even worse than you know..I am watched, followed, psychologically harassed 24/7. My husband, my family members, the most trusted people in my life, instantly assume I am crazy. Not one of them would take the time to listen to what I was noticing and experiencing daily. I thought better of them..I never once thought they would doubt me. But..my marriage is ruined, I am alienated from life in general because these people find ways to let me know they are around. I see their faces reflected in mirrored or shiny objects in the house, car, ect..I can’t even go to the bathroom alone. They seem to track my eyes..they use laptops to fly their drones over my house or wherever I am nightly. They look like stars so most people do not notice them..there is so much more to my story. I have contemplated suicide but I was raised to never even think that way..sensors, audio, hidden cameras and I believe utility grids come into play, monitoring of cell, laptops, my children, they disguise themselves as neighbors, retail workers, shoppers, strangers. At least in my case..maybe it is educational research, or agencies working together to pass data to each other. I am not technically inclined to verbalize what I notice in a logical manner. I am a regular person with 2 children, who also experience these occurrences..seeing people in reflective items. (door handles, windows, mirrors, faucets, anything that can reflect. Also small fibers r used. No privacy, can’t even hide my cellulite.

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tharpdevenport
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 7:07pm
The posulation from Gizmodo shouln’t be how many patents from companioes come to fruition, but how many advertising patents come to fruition, or how many Verizon advertising patents cme to fuition — too guage the track record more accurately. If 15+ years ago somebody had written an article saying cellphones could have their speakers activated so the government could easedrop on you, would anybody have believed that?
If 15 years ago somebody wrote an article saying there’d be a hidden app on things like iPhones, that sends user’s private information and data out to person(s) unknown, who’d have believed that?
Ten years ago would anybody believe a patent for infrared sensors on billboard advertisement to track your eyes to see what you looked at on a billbaord, would actually be in use today?
15 years ago, you’d be a crazy conspiracist to say employers ould use GPS devices in company cars to see if you goofed off work, went someplace else. Or that car rental companies could know if you speeded, and then mail you the ticket after your return the car.
Five years ago you’d be a Right-wing Glenn Beck nutjob to say the government could use new televisions and computers with a hidden camera in them to turn on and spy on you in your house.

Seems all these evil, invasive ideas just sort of go into use.

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Trail_Jumper
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 3:40pm
Well, I’m fairly certain that some company or person spying on me in my home without a warrant is a violation of federal law, I guess I’d have to say that if they tried that in my home they’d be hit with the biggest lawsuit in history. Not a good business decision for the shareholders.

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- SweetDoug
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 6:54pm
  ‘
  ‘
  ‘
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  What concerns me, is that unless some paranoid like me asks this question, we’re all just going to keep walking off the cliff.
  
  “Are we going to be able to decline to have a TV that does this to us in the future?”
  
  Hang on…
  
  If they start this crap with the thin edge of the wedge routine, we’ve already got some pretty good “slippery slop” decisions that relate back to the concept of “No reasonable expectation of privacy.”
  
  How soon until that becomes “No reasonable RIGHT of privacy.”?
  
  After all, as the mealy-mouths spout, if you’ve got nothing to hide, why would a TV that spies on you, Oops! Observes you, then you should have nothing to fear, eh?
  
  Orwell just couldn’t predict the evolution of technology, that’s all. He was 40 years too early.
  
  •∆•
  V-V
  
  Report this comment
- AJC1973
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 7:08pm
  listen to you people, its not a violation of federal law its a violation of your constitutional rights, , of course companies get around this, you know how? two ways they market it as a feature and make you WANT it, or they include it in a users agreement that you never read you just blindly click ok so you can open your new program or upgrade ajnd play with the new toy you just bought… when you volunteer to do it or agree to it, its no longer a violation of your rights, your just in violation of being stupid…
  
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- The_Pointy_End
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 7:33pm
  If anyone is fool enough to buy a TV with this technology built into it, they get what they deserve. I would imagine by owning this, you have legally agreed to the violation of privacy.
  
  Report this comment
Tickdog
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 2:30pm
They would have a very boring view if they peeked into mine.

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pressthepress
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 1:56pm
No smart phones, no smart TV’s. Internet service is all I have and that is still too invasive for my taste.
Shut off satellite, and quit buying renting videos and movies. We homeschool and daughter just graduated 1 year early with 3.9gpa.
Unplug and find ways to opt out of society as it is being fed to you.
It is worse than many could even guess.

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budzy1911
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 1:24pm
The answer is no – because I got rid of my TV and I don’t miss it. I got tired of paying the freaks in Hollywood.

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2conservative
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:44pm
Think this through….a few pieces of strategically placed Duct Tape should take care of the problem…that goes for the webcams on your PC’s /Laptops as well…..

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- jhrusky
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 2:45pm
  No good. Your electrical smart meter is spying on you already. And, I doubt it’s that difficult to put in some device in that smart meter to actually listen to what is going on by analyzing vibrating sound waves .
  
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bunzi1964
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:14pm
Are you friggin kidding me? No way, this is way to much.

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ltb
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:40am
When I read stuff like this, I can understand why socialists hate capitalists.

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- ltb
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:44am
  I should clarify what I just said by also saying I would much rather have private corporations watching me than the government. Of course it goes without saying that I’d prefer all of these idiots keep their noses out of my private life.
  
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BlasberryStrat
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:17am
I’ve said since the first run of those games that ‘watch’ you and follow your actions….that camera unit can be used ‘both ways’. I was waiting for someone to report that they saw their X Box ‘scanner’ move without being turned on, and sure nuff’ it has happened.

My cell phones are approx. 12 years old (and still work fine – to all you teens that report your phone ‘broke’ just so your parents will buy you the newest and greatest), and my TV is well over 20 years old. So I think I’ll run out and get a new “spy” TV, and then stand in front of it dressed in ‘black face’ while masturbating on full size cut outs of Pelosi and Matthews….then see what type of commercials Verison will be beaming to my set. HEY, it’ll work. When a friend reported that his boss put cameras in his work area in order to ‘better production’, I told him to blow up a pic of his bosses wife and act like he’s masturbating on it during work hours. Yep, a week later the cameras were shut off…and NO mention made to my friend from his boss.

Just how long will the “reality community” get bored with “fat **** boo boo” and the new rage will be that ANYONE can tap in to a neighbors TV sensors – and watch what THEY are doing. Talk about “reality”.

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- epicwinofgod
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 1:52pm
  Yea… wow.
  
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- deeberj
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 2:33pm
  Can’t you think of some other thing to do besides masturbating?
  
  In my builidng we have an important mainframe so cameras were put in all over the place. When we sit in meetings and the camera is pointed our way, we scratch our noses with a certain finger. Or scratch our @asses or pick our noses or whatever. Never thought of masturbating…
  
  Report this comment
cessna152
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:17am
I guess the days of making love in the living room will soon be a thing of the past…

I wonder if using one of these CMOS cameras for target practice will break into “cheaper than dirt” commercials?

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- ExTex
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 11:40am
  Most bedrooms have a tv in them these days, so….
  
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kadster01
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:30am
“It also speculated that if the idea ever did come to fruition, it would require the user to opt-in ‘before peeking into your life.’”

Sure it would, at least until the Gov gets it’s hands on the technology. They love to piggyback on the accomplishments of the private sector, then take it over completely. I should have the ability to opt-out of having the NSA gather data on everything I do.

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- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 12:02pm
  Come to fruition ? Your cable company can already tell what you last watched.
  
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o2nine17
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:25am
Samsung already has a Smart TV with a built in camera for web chatting, that Samsung can turn one anytime (including when TV is off) to monitor the room to. Intrusive? you bet. As long as consumers
fall for these “conveniences” they will be vulnerable to monitoring. Thermostats with WiFi, Smart Electric meters, laptops, ipads and smart phones, Home security systems web enabled… big brother is watching, the NSA has already collected enough data that they have something on every citizen…( but I bet not too many illegals, why would they be interested in criminals when they can monitor law abiding citizens? )

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Akridgerunner
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:25am
HAHAHAHA!!! It’s Orwell’s 1984!! It’s coming; get used to it. They’ll develop the technology and the government will take it from them and use it on us. Unbelievable!

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OldSurfRat
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:24am
They’ll be some bored hombres if the watch my life.

Besides isnt that called reality TV? We can all be Honey Boo Boos.

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moonsbreath
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:17am
Since when did Verizon offer cable tv service?

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- Jeanne T
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:35am
  Verizon has been offering their FIOS service in the New York area for several years.
  
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IAMMADDOG
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:10am
Yeah….I don’t think so. That will be the day I no longer watch television AT ALL!

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ChiefGeorge
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:08am
Oh Joy!

So if your trying to excercise and watch TV at the same time, you’ll get bombarded with fast food commercials, not to mention the spying into your once free American home.

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redfish52
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 9:56am
I think a piece of black electrical tape over the video and audio locations will fix this issue..

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- naughtycal
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:06am
  The issue is a unConstitutional invasion of privacy. The fact the tape is needed say technology has gone too far.
  
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- OldSurfRat
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:31am
  Redfish
  
  Yea pretty esy to fix this problem.
  BTW your username is that the type with the spot on the tail?
  If so like it.
  
  Report this comment
- YouCantExplainThat
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:36am
  Just don’t buy it or use their service. That will fix this issue.
  
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theninthplanet
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 9:56am
Whenever I see an article like this, I always shake my head at the author. Filing a patent means they think they’ve invented something (“spying” on a user to target advertisements), and they want a monopoly on their invention for 20 years.

From my work at another company, I’ve had about a dozen patent applications filed. I’m pretty sure they have no intention of ever putting my ideas into products, they just want to be able to sue others for infringing on them.

If that’s the case for Verizon, it may mean that you won’t see this happen for another 20 years.

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doomytram
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 9:53am
Do you think we will get to the point that the put a camera in our commodes? It would help them advertise something I suppose. Nanny/Police state State

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AmericanStrega
Posted on December 6, 2012 at 9:51am
…It also speculated that if the idea ever did come to fruition, it would require the user to opt-in “before peeking into your life.”

Riiiight.

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- Cavallo
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 9:57am
  Any ISP/Phone/Comm company that promises strict protection of privacy will likely steal great swaths of market share from Google/ATT&T/Verizon/Etc. There is, at least, a good niche market for that.
  
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- Gladius_Doctorae
  Posted on December 6, 2012 at 10:06am
  BS. We all know the user would have to “opt out” not “opt in”, and the menu would be so complicated most would give up or not care.
  
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