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Free Phone Calls... If Advertisers Can Eavesdrop
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.""
Where's the "sheeple" tag? How do I tag a /. article?
I should discuss my grandma's sweet 'n' sour chicken breast recipe more often...
You can't talk about Wikipedia's flaws on Wikipedia
I can't wait to see ads for hookers and blow on my computer screen.
I mean - more ads for hookers and blow.
...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?
Bob: Oh yeah? Oh, is that the free phone calls with conversation-relevant ads showing up on your screen?
Phil: That's right, it's completely free!
Bob: Heh, monkey sex.
Phil: Uh, what?
Bob: Monkey sex!
Phil: Ew, gross, stop that.
Bob: Beastiality.
Phil: Oh yuck, these flash based ads are
Bob: Goatse.
Phil: Ahhhhhhhhh! *click*
My work here is dung.
So adverts shown on screen changed what the callers were talking about?
Me: Hi boss, I was thinking about a raise...
Boss: Hi. Er, did you know you can get herbal viagra?
Any fool can talk, but it takes a wise man to listen.
Ig-pay atin-lay.
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I'd easily consider taking this on (although it seems to suggest that it's only north american numbers, and they probably don't have a linux client...). Still, whilst it is possible (though unlikely) that a human could listen to what you're saying I have to question whether they would actually want to listen to what I'm saying - or if I would care if they are. Granted I'm not going to use this for telephone banking, and probably not even for calling my girlfriend, I really don't care if they listen to my mum talking for half an hour about her dog or hear me arrange a party... or shout down the phone whilst drunk at people about the importance of egalitarianism (but that's another story...)
*''I can't believe it's not a hyperlink.''
I wonder if their software can detect if I dial the speaking clock and leave it off hook?
http://www.telephonesuk.co.uk/speaking_clock.htm
Seriously, this sounds a little intrusive. Voice recognition my ass, I bet there is a clause in their contract stating the call may be recorded for future training, enhancement, fun, profit and any damn reason they like. 'Scuze me while I reach for my phrases and codes book.
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.
funny. I just made a call yesterday using this system and suddenly I'm getting ads about weapons, espionage, government contractors...
wait a sec. Some men in black are knocking on my window. brb.
"Didn't you have ads in the twentieth century?"
"Well, sure, but not in our dreams. Only on TV and radio... and in magazines... and movies, and at ballgames, and on buses, and milk cartons, and T-shirts, and bananas, and written in the sky. But not in dreams, no sirree."
Which raises my question, will the receiver of the phone call know that they are being eavesdropped upon? What about their rights? Idiots occasionally call me and I don't want to have to worry about this. BTW, I didn't RTFA. The answer could already be in there.
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.
Great! What's preventing me from turning off my monitor after the call connects?
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.
It's like Echelon got drunk and woke up next to a spam-bot. Man, that's an ugly child.
I'm not letting anyone profit off *my* communications.
... as long as I log in?
What's next? Free comment-sections on websites?
How could anyone subject themselves to such a sacrifice of personal liberties.
------ The best brain training is now totally free : )
...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
The parent post is brought to you by: Gradma's old-fashioned posts. Remember a time when discussions weren't threaded? Gradma does.
It's a real relief that the ads won't change based on what you're thinking...
Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.
Except that this is a legal morass in the making.
Sure, they got an opt-in of the caller but do they have opt-in from the recipient?! So some imbecile calls you on that thing, and without warning you are being monitored/recorded by some inane corporate NSA-wannabe operation, with no idea by whom and where your call is being listened to, and retained for purposes you can't predict.
The only way I can see this being even remotely legal in many places is if you get a message in the vain of "The party calling you has opted for recording of this call for undetermined purposes by any and all corporate afilliates of afilliates of the NSA-wannabies who paid the sheep in question for his call, Press 1 to accept the incoming call, Baaaaah, Press 2 to indicate that you still have a brain..." or some such.
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.
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.
You get a virus.
True confidence comes not from realising you are as good as your peers, but that your peers are as bad as you are.
So why aren't all of our calls paid for by the US Government, then?
A service specifically designed for the "I have nothing to hide, so I don't care if they wiretap" people!
Now I just need to figure out if someone I know is using the service....... So I can sell them a Bridge........
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.