The "We Are Watching You" Act. Coming soon?

Searched and didn't find anything. Apologies if already posted.

I came across this on EGM earlier
www.egmnow.com...

After a google search, all the links I found were on gaming sites or in articles tied to the XboxOne, so I cannot declare the validity of this.
Here is some of the article

Now, consider the latest development regarding American citizens and their privacy. The National Security Agency (NSA) is already collecting data from cell phones, including the time of day calls take place, numbers being dialed, duration of phone calls, and other pertinent data information—though the content of each phone call is supposedly not part of the data collection. Don’t fret, that call from your Doctor regarding your sexual history is private, for now. Which brings us to an interesting press release on the U.S. House of Representatives website. Two representatives, Rep. Mike Capuano and Rep. Walter Jones are filing the “We Are Watching You Act.” To paraphrase the press release, this act “is in direct response to reports that national telecommunications companies (i.e. cable providers) are exploring technology for digital video recorders (DVRs) which would record personal activities of consumers as they watch television in the privacy of their homes.” In other words, cable companies would like to pursue the ability to monitor people in their homes as they watch television in order to better understand their audience and target consumers with specific ads.

Rep. Mike Capuano has stated, “This may sound preposterous but it is neither a joke nor an exaggeration. These DVRs would essentially observe consumers as they watch television as a way to super-target ads. It is an incredible invasion of privacy. Given what we have recently learned about the access that the government has to the phone numbers we call, the emails we send and the websites we visit, it is important for consumers to decide for themselves whether they want this technology. Think about what you do in the privacy of your own home and then think about how you would feel sharing that information with your cable company, their advertisers and your government.”

So, what I've heard is, basically, if you have your DVR or cable box connected, and you suddenly get up to start cleaning your living room, ads comparable to your activity will appear on your TV. This technology would monitor your daily habits, and then make a choice what ads are most relative to you.

As for me, advertising is invasive enough as it is.

As someone who loves to play games, I’d hate to have my videogame console, the same one I’ll be playing Halo on, potentially be seen as a threat to my privacy. If the laws to monitor Americans increase, and the NSA is given a stronger reach, I’d like to know that Microsoft has safety precautions in tow to counteract such measurements. Maybe I’m just jumping the gun here, but you can never be too careful. Microsoft, my advice to you is the same thing Uncle Ben said to Peter Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility.” We all want an awesomely powerful console, one with a more advanced Kinect camera, but we also want to know we’re not investing in a spy machine.

That's well said, IMO.

All I have to say is, if the potential for abuse is there, government will find a way to exploit it.

I so hate Microsoft. Companies like them encourage NSA and other government organizations to spy on anyone they please. Whether you have a smartphone, webcam, Xbox One, or any wireless device with a microphone and camera, they will watch you in more ways than you can sing it.

I hate to say this, it may take a while for a bill like this to get pass but it will eventually. I bet if this bill ran across of Obama desk, it would be the first thing to get some ink.

reply to post by rockintitz


It was really inevitable if you think about it. It's spying yes and i reckon you should be able to disconnect all electronic items from the internet but when you take into consideration certain people using the private chat modes then federal agencies are gonna be interested. Also, Microsoft are advertising here in Britain about some new Windows product but their overall point is personal privacy!! Ha!!

reply to post by EA006


I don't even care about that. I want to play online.

I don't care if Microsoft added a disconnect. I want to continue playing games with a device without a "necessary" webcam/audio recorder.

And even after the concessions that Microsoft made, I still don't see them letting customers turn off the kinect while being connected to the Internet

Supposedly for advertising? Just need the electronic version of no junk mail on a mail box , I guess.

The whole idea just p*sses me off! Not now, because I'm an old lady, but in my younger day, when the kiddies were out of the house and would remain so for hours, it was nothing for the hubby and I to have a little hanky panky on our couch. I am VERY selective who gets to see my private parts, I'm no porn star, either, so.....

What makes you think the NSA won't be able to monitor you with your activities online with the playstation?

Nonetheless, I am getting a PS4 and if they can monitor me I will wear my lucky "F(_)CK THE GOVERNMENT"
T-shirt whilst playing!

All science fiction turns into reality at some point.
How many movies has this type of feature been in..think about it?
Reminds me of the futurama episodes when they go to the mall and are all zapped with advertisments directly into their brains....

This is a case of what came first..the chicken or the egg?

Was the technology already available and "Hollywood" was slowly filtering it in so we would accept it, or are they geting the ideas from Hollywood?

Interesting post.

reply to post by Habit4ming


What's your problem then? They can't film what your not doing