House members introduce bill to stop TV devices from monitoring consumers at home

[dlf]

http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/305625-house-members-introduce-bill-to-stop-tv-devices-from-spying-on-consumers [Article about the US]
It's already facing a possible ban in Australia:
http://www.cinemablend.com/games/-Xbox-One-Kinect-Surveillance-Device-Says-Australia-Civil-Liberty-Director-56126.html#sthash.0TK6rCS9.dpuf

 

 

Reps. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.) filed legislation that would regulate a new technology that targets TV ads to people by observing their activities and conversations while they watch TV via their set-top boxes and DVRs.

Verizon, Intel and other tech companies have developed technology that utilizes infrared cameras and microphones built into cable boxes and DVRs to serve up targeted TV ads to people based on their conversations and activities while watching TV.

Verizon had filed a patent application last year for a technology that would allow a set-top box to recognize when people are eating, cleaning, reading, laughing and doing other activities while watching TV and serve relevant ads to them according to that behavior. The application was rejected this past December. 

In a statement, the two lawmakers said they want to get out ahead of the release of this new technology and pass legislation that ensures it would include beefed up privacy protections for consumers. They added that this legislation is particularly relevant given the recent revelations about the National Security Agency's Internet surveillance programs. 
 

Capuano called the technology "an incredible invasion of privacy" in a statement.

 

 

Is anyone else (either in the US, North America, or elsewhere) surprised something good is happening for consumers here (& Australia?)  I'd of expected this from Europe & probably Asia (if it worked there) but not the US! :ph34r: :wacko:

[jecho]

If cable companies do this then I will NEVER have cable again.

[dlf]

If it did somehow get passed in both houses of Congress - and some how Obama did sign it, or if he vetoed and overruled by 2/3rd's of Congress agreed to the legislation I'd wonder how Microsoft would feel about there console not being sold in the country of the company that came up with it.

[EricX2]

My reading of that says they will regulate it not ban it. It also states specifically targeted ads, not monitoring in general.

 

 

Their legislation would require companies to get consumers' consent before installing a DVR or cable box with this monitoring technology in their homes. Companies would also have to provide explicit information to consumers about what kind of data the technology will be able to collect about them, who will be able to access the data and how it will be used.

 

Basically they would write it into their EULA that states turning this device on you agree to it.