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Free Phone Calls... If Advertisers Can Eavesdrop

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the why-are-my-ads-all-about-boobs dept.

Dekortage writes "Today, Pudding Media is introducing an Internet phone service similar to Skype's online service, but without any toll charges. The catch: they are eavesdropping on phone calls with voice recognition software to monitor calls, then push conversation-relevant the ads to the subscriber's computer screen. Interestingly, during tests, "conversations [were] actually changing based on what was on the screen," said the president. "Our ability to influence the conversation was remarkable.""

11 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. So, it's like the NSA... by Overzeetop · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...but somebody is cashing in on ad revenue at the same time?

    Seriously, though, I'm not to the point where my phone bill is so expensive I'd do this. Cable TV on the other hand...

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
    1. Re:So, it's like the NSA... by rkcallaghan · · Score: 2, Interesting
      IgnoramusMaxiumus wrote:

      Really? Is it for the recipient of the call? How does he/she know that the call is being recorded? They probably don't. Most states (38/51) are single party notification states. See also Wikipedia on Telephone Recording Laws.

      This may be the dark side of single party notification laws; which generally are a good thing as they allow a consumer to record abusive collections calls, sales offers, and customer service calls without having to scare off the representative on the other end of the line, and "catch them in the act". How many times have you talked to someone from a company in one of these scenarios, had them promise you the sun, the moon, and the stars, then find out a month later that it was nothing of the sort. These laws normally function to serve as your weapon against that; so while advertising taking advantage of it is a negative, I would still consider it a worthwhile one to retain this right in other areas (I do own a telephone recording device for this purpose).

      ~Rebecca
  2. What numbers do they use? by straponego · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I don't want to talk to anybody using this service. How can I block them? Do they announce to innocent (called) parties that they're invading your privacy at the beginning of a call?

    Now, consider what scumbags like Comcast could do with this. They bundle phone, cable, and Internet. So they could tweak not just your banner ads, but also your TV ads (using an upgraded on-demand system). And they could use peeping on one service to affect the others. For example, they could change your web ads based on what shows you watch. The only question is whether they think the cost in lawsuits (from other advertisers and customers) would be worth it. Hmm, maybe they can tie it into the DHS "we need retroactive immunity for any crime on the grounds that it would be bad for business for us to be subject to the law" stuff. Obviously the program could service "national security" purposes as well.

  3. Turn off your monitor by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Since it doesn't seem like they have the email system perfected yet, what's to prevent you from turning off your monitor and continuing to talk? Provided you're cool with the eavesdropping and just annoyed at the ads? Or minimize the screen?

    Do you really need to see how long you've been chatting with someone in real time?

  4. It'll fail. by suv4x4 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Interestingly, during tests, "conversations [were] actually changing based on what was on the screen,"

    Of course: DURING TESTS. The sole purpose of the test is to test what they're testing, so it's the subject of interest without any magic required. How about influencing a real world call, emergent call, bad news call, good news call. Anything-else-than-playing-with-the-system call.

    And their scheme has a flaw: I can keep talking with my screen turned off. Their advertisers better be dumb enough not to figure out that one.

  5. Great! by WilyCoder · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Great! What's preventing me from turning off my monitor after the call connects?

  6. Re:Please stop the ads by QuickFox · · Score: 2, Interesting

    So why don't you buy a Slashdot subscription? Someone has to pay their costs, either you pay yourself by subscribing, or the ads pay for you so you don't have to.

    If you don't accept that there are ads, and you don't want to pay a subscription, who do you expect to pay this for you?

    --
    Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
  7. While I personally... by Pojut · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...would never use this service, and while I despise ads as much as the next person, I don't quite get what all the fuss is over. You KNOW that they are recording your phone call, they tell you everything up front, you get free phone service...yes, you have to look at ads, but hey! At least they are pertinent to you and yours.

    If I have to see advertisements everywhere, I don't want to see shit for Viagra or a low mortgage rate...I want to see ads for video games, horror movies, fetish stores, and computer equipment.

    Seriously, there is no way to escape advertisement (yes, I know there is AdBlock and NoScript), so why not at least have advertisements that you would be at least REMOTELY interested in? Target audience and all that... If Comcast knew what kind of products I was interested in and I got to see ads for only those type of products while watching what little TV I watch, I would be much less inclined to leave the room or fast forward on Tivo. Instead, I get stuck with commercials for tampons and "beer" (i.e. watered down piss...I love being from and living in the USA, but christ we have NO tatse in beer)

    --
    Living With a Nerd
  8. Re:My god what's next?? by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Thank god they don't know what television shows I'm watching...

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  9. Voice recognition liability by stewbacca · · Score: 3, Interesting

    They want to rely on voice recognition software? Well then I guess it will be a good deal, since that stuff doesn't work worth a damn. More interestingly, what does voice recognition software do when it identifies a threat to US persons, which, under US signals laws, would require reporting? What happens if their voice recognition software doesn't catch a specific threat? I think (hope) liability alone will put this model under.

  10. Chaffing the system by goombah99 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Since the system is free there's no harm, to you at least, in having infinite length phone calls. So do the following..call yourself (one browser to another). Play MP3s or NPR or Rush limbaugh into it. This will chaffe the system with ludicrous amounts of nonsense data. They will never be able to get a profile on you for the few real phone calls you make.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.