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Google to Use PC Microphones to Listen In?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the shh-yer-changing-my-ads dept.

seriv writes "The Register reports that Google plans to use PC microphones to collect statistics on a user's environment. Peter Norvig, who directs research at Google, told Technology Review that this software would start to show up in Google software 'sooner rather than later'. The software collects short sound clips and removes background noise. Google then targets its ads based on the statistics collected. With the current level of online privacy, this new level of invasion would seem to have frightening possibilities."

11 of 554 comments (clear)

  1. Good! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Perhaps the Google software will conflict with the NSA microphone-tapping software so the NSA software stops working.

  2. So pretty much the lesson here is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    don't participate in sexual activities with your mic on or you will find yourself with nasty search results in the morning?

  3. My most recent bedroom dialogue by walnutmon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Girl: WalnutMon, your penis is too small for me...
    Me: Shh... Be quiet!
    Girl: Why? Does it make you feel self conscious?
    Me: No, I don't give a shit, I just don't feel like having more penis enlargement advertisements sent to me via google's sound activated advertisement scheme
    Girl: I SURE NEED SOME VIBRATORS!
    Me: AND WIVES FROM RUSSIA!

    --
    You take it, I don't want it...
    1. Re:My most recent bedroom dialogue by jb.hl.com · · Score: 5, Funny

      Be careful, you may end up with ads for Russian guys with vibrating cocks.

      Not that she'd have a problem with that probably...

      --
      By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
  4. Re:is it april fools already? by FudRucker · · Score: 5, Funny

    you are probably right, it is most likely bullshit, but just incase i will keep my tinfoil hat pulled down tightly over my ears :^)

    --
    Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
  5. Re:is it april fools already? by Asztal_ · · Score: 5, Funny

    And now you will get advertisements about tinfoil hats! :-)

  6. Pornware... by Seoulstriker · · Score: 5, Funny

    * fap, fap, fap *

    --
    I am defenseless. Use your button. Mod me down with all of your hatred.
  7. When Microsoft does it, it's called.... by Seoulstriker · · Score: 5, Funny

    God help us if there is a Clippy version of the ad:

    It sounds like you are trying to masturbate. Would you like some lubricant?

    --
    I am defenseless. Use your button. Mod me down with all of your hatred.
  8. Re:Millionth User by damiena · · Score: 5, Funny

    You must be new here.

  9. Re:is it april fools already? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Of course slashdot went down the tubes.

    How else would we read it??

  10. "I am Lying" by jpatters · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, I just did a google search for "I am Lying", but it seems to have not exploded. Oh well, it was worth a try.

    --
    "Remember, there never were pineapple-almond cookies here."