TIVO spying on you all!
03-27-01, 09:39 AM
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Just read some disturbing info in the paper today:
It seems that the TIVO unit is sending back "very detailed information about what programs it's users watch , what they record and even what buttons they push on their remotes"
TIVO acknowledged it has been collecting the data from it's subscribers, which now number 154, 000.
It plans to keep collecting information about what viewers watch and record so the data can be sold to advertisers and TV networks.
ewwwww.... isn't that sweet!
that damm big brother!
It seems that the TIVO unit is sending back "very detailed information about what programs it's users watch , what they record and even what buttons they push on their remotes"
TIVO acknowledged it has been collecting the data from it's subscribers, which now number 154, 000.
It plans to keep collecting information about what viewers watch and record so the data can be sold to advertisers and TV networks.
ewwwww.... isn't that sweet!
that damm big brother!
03-27-01, 12:46 PM
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Another vote for who cares. TiVo is a great product and if collecting info can make it better then I'm all for it. And besides the data is sent anonymously..no specific user name is tied to it...it is all general. Plus you have the option to opt out of it too.
03-27-01, 03:31 PM
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If they give full disclosure (and I don't know if they are or not), then fine. All this concern about "privacy issues" cracks me up. What's the worst that can happen? I get a little more junk mail to throw away. I'm not giving out SS#'s or credit card numbers on Tivo . . .
03-27-01, 08:02 PM
#8
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Worst that can happen is that a profile will be built with your name, home address, phone number, and what exactly you watch. Data mining this could also develop profiles of when you would most likely be home as well -- a common use of Nielsen information, too. This would be available for purchase without your consent.
I find it hard to live this sort of invasion. I don't want anyone to know I actually watch Baywatch (for the great storylines and acting, really!) or that I watch an awful lot of PBS without donating to them.
But, I hope people realize that Baby Bells sell information on numbers, names, addresses, and when people were most likely to be home based on phone usage -- presumably for telemarketers. Combine this with average bills, payment history, and your zip code... and well, I don't want that either. They apparently still sell this information. PUC intervention in some areas has only led them to remove names and addreses from these lists, but not phone numbers. Simple datamining here can combine Directory Assistance databases with this info and nail you still.
-Beebs
I find it hard to live this sort of invasion. I don't want anyone to know I actually watch Baywatch (for the great storylines and acting, really!) or that I watch an awful lot of PBS without donating to them.
But, I hope people realize that Baby Bells sell information on numbers, names, addresses, and when people were most likely to be home based on phone usage -- presumably for telemarketers. Combine this with average bills, payment history, and your zip code... and well, I don't want that either. They apparently still sell this information. PUC intervention in some areas has only led them to remove names and addreses from these lists, but not phone numbers. Simple datamining here can combine Directory Assistance databases with this info and nail you still.
-Beebs
03-27-01, 08:08 PM
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It is crazy when people send credit card info over the computer, but at the same time cry because they are scared Tivo may know to much; like they watch Sister Sister or something. The least of your worries should be Tivo's use of your television viewing habits.
03-28-01, 10:19 AM
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This recent TiVo privacy scare is journalism at it's worst. Of course TiVo collects information about you as a user. That helps TiVo serve you as an individual. And to worry about release of that information by TiVo is pointless. The world already knows everything about you, anyway. "They" know your credit card numbers, how much you spend, where you spend it (thought that buying porn on a card was secret, huh?), what your social security number is, and probably how many times you lusted over that blond in Purchasing yesterday. And TiVo didn't give "them" any of that.
You can't live in today's world without giving out all this information.
[soapbox] TiVo has really changed the way I watch TV, and I love it! Especially with HT.
You can't live in today's world without giving out all this information.
[soapbox] TiVo has really changed the way I watch TV, and I love it! Especially with HT.
03-28-01, 11:41 AM
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Guys (and gals)
I was not asking you to start a petition , take your TIVOS in hand, march over to the headquarters and burn them in the streets.
I was just passing something that I read in the paper....by the way...I don't even own a TIVO.
What IS interesting though is how many of you could care less about these kinds of privacy invasions.
If you don't care about companies building consumer profiles of you off of what TV shows you watch, I'm sure you won't mind them reading your E-mail, tracking what you buy with your credit card at the supermarket and who you call on the telephone.
This was not something TIVO told it's members and only admitted it after a privacy group exposed it.
I was just offering it up as a kind of FYI thing.
I was not asking you to start a petition , take your TIVOS in hand, march over to the headquarters and burn them in the streets.
I was just passing something that I read in the paper....by the way...I don't even own a TIVO.
What IS interesting though is how many of you could care less about these kinds of privacy invasions.
If you don't care about companies building consumer profiles of you off of what TV shows you watch, I'm sure you won't mind them reading your E-mail, tracking what you buy with your credit card at the supermarket and who you call on the telephone.
This was not something TIVO told it's members and only admitted it after a privacy group exposed it.
I was just offering it up as a kind of FYI thing.
03-28-01, 11:50 AM
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Originally posted by J.F.SEBASTION
What IS interesting though is how many of you could care less about these kinds of privacy invasions.
If you don't care about companies building consumer profiles of you off of what TV shows you watch, I'm sure you won't mind them reading your E-mail, tracking what you buy with your credit card at the supermarket and who you call on the telephone.
What IS interesting though is how many of you could care less about these kinds of privacy invasions.
If you don't care about companies building consumer profiles of you off of what TV shows you watch, I'm sure you won't mind them reading your E-mail, tracking what you buy with your credit card at the supermarket and who you call on the telephone.
03-28-01, 11:56 AM
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JF, thanks for your concern, and for the FYI. I'm not blaming you for the poor journalism, nor trying to shoot the messenger.
But the fact remains.... Even if you DON'T want "them reading your E-mail, tracking what you buy with your credit card at the supermarket and who you call on the telephone", you can't avoid it, even if you found Ted's cabin in Montana.
I'm just saying that we're watched anyway, so why not take advantage of the pluses.
And if you watch TV and don't want to abide by the network schedules, you should try TiVo. (I'm known as Convert on the TiVo forums.)
But the fact remains.... Even if you DON'T want "them reading your E-mail, tracking what you buy with your credit card at the supermarket and who you call on the telephone", you can't avoid it, even if you found Ted's cabin in Montana.
I'm just saying that we're watched anyway, so why not take advantage of the pluses.
And if you watch TV and don't want to abide by the network schedules, you should try TiVo. (I'm known as Convert on the TiVo forums.)
03-28-01, 12:32 PM
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What pluses? In this specific case, TiVo collects information that you feed into your TiVo hard drive, and makes suggestions about additional shows you might like to see. TiVo has a certain amount of interactivity that results in better service to each of us as individuals. (Disclaimer: If anyone wants to correct or add to my not-so-technical description of how TiVo (the service, not the box) works, please feel free to spread the word.)
And in general, I like being able to go to my favorite web shopping sites, and having them greet me like Norm in Cheers. And if using my supermarket card allows the grocery folks to stock items that I prefer, I like that, too.
And in general, I like being able to go to my favorite web shopping sites, and having them greet me like Norm in Cheers. And if using my supermarket card allows the grocery folks to stock items that I prefer, I like that, too.
