Your Tv Is Watching You?
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
How Your TV is Watching You
So by now you probably have discovered that while you are searching the internet or lurking on FaceBook, your computer is “watching” you.
It knows a lot about you. Your search habits, where you’ve been what you’re looking at, what you’ve bought. That’s how, miraculously it has ads that appear on your FaceBook page that appeal to you.
Or how when you search Google it “mysteriously” brings up businesses or restaurants from your area.
But, I bet you didn’t know that your tv is watching you as well.
I know I didn’t.
That’s right cable and satellite companies are experimenting with technology that allows them to target commercials to an individual home, based on buying habits and tv watching habits.
Check out this video below from the Wall Street Journal telling us how your tv is watching you:
Your TV is Watching You Change Channels?
According to a recent article on Technologyreview.com
AT&T is experimenting with tracking viewers for targeted advertising, much the same way it is already done on the internet.
I bet you didn’t know (I plead ignorance) that the cable companies already track your channel changes? Yup, they know what you’re watching, how long and when.
So Does It Bother You That Your TV Is Watching You?
Many don’t like, but have become accustomed to the intrusive nature of the internet and it’s ability to track your every move. So, how do we feel about our tv’s tracking us?
I’m sure the cable and satellite companies are banking on the apathy of the consumer. Sure, there may be an outcry at first as it becomes more and more intrusive, but eventually people will live with it, just as they have learned to live with it on the internet.
Your computer is watching you… your tv is watching you…
Kinda reminds me of that song from the 80′s by Rockwell featuring Michael Jackson:
I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me