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Microsoft Watching What You Watch

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the do-you-see-what-I-see dept.

Arkham writes "According to this Wired article, Microsoft has contracted with a company called Predictive Networks to track the viewing habits of Microsoft TV devices. The Predictive software creates a "Digital Silhouette" that is described as being able "to tell them that Joe watches a lot of baseball, likes Situation Comedies, and responds favorably to commercials that use humor."." I've always said that I'm cool with my Tivo tracking what I watch, provided it never tells anyone my name and address to anyone. If it meant I watched more targetted advertisements, I'd fast forward less.

4 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. 1984? by O2n · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Some potential users are concerned over the prospect of being observed by their household appliances, and said they would not knowingly purchase a product that tracked their entertainment preferences.

    Isn't that exactly as in 1984? The screen that was watching you... maybe... or maybe not. And the feds won't use it ever, we swear.

    All right, maybe I'm paranoid now... but don't they say "don't beleive it until it's officially denied"?

  2. The author is a fool by dazdaz · · Score: 0, Redundant


    Anyone who wants to actually watch adverts is a first class idiot. Don't you see what marketing has done to you? Your so acclimatised to it, you selectively want seem to want it.

  3. TiVo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    Tivo does the same thing.

    I didn't read the article by clicking on IT'S link

  4. Ha ha ha ha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Redundant

    I can't take it anymore. The world is becoming like that described in the book 1984 (George Orvell). All I can say is a big fuck you to all but what can I do? Not much, I'll just go insane