Microsoft's Big Brother 2012

[Shenrien]

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/mi...enses-through/

Patent: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-P...DN/20120278904

Microsoft has filed a patent for a system that could potentially use a camera to determine whether you're breaking its content-viewing rules or not. US Patent Application 20120278904 describes the ability to use a Kinect-like camera-enabled device for "continuously monitoring a number of users at a display device during the performance of [some] content," which basically means the camera would watch the faces of anyone watching a display showing licensed content (like a movie or a game), and then track those faces to see if the viewers had appropriately licensed it.

The patent lists a number of options for determining the validity of the possible viewers, including counting their number (as in, making sure only three people were able to see a movie), or actually identifying specific users (to make sure Julie isn't watching a movie that Mark was only licensed to see). The patent itself doesn't specifically mention Kinect, but it does mention the idea of a "gaming and media system" as well as "mobile devices" with the same capability.

Obviously, such a system would have some weaknesses (could you use a picture or a sculpture to spoof the camera?), and the patent states at the end that this is just one possible implementation of a setup like this. But Microsoft is apparently thinking about using Kinect's ability to recognize you for more than just throwing around spells and playing games. In the future, that camera may be used to figure out whether you're following the rules or not.

I didn't see this posted anywhere and couldn't think of a proper place to stick it >_> if mods feel that it could be placed in a different spot go ahead and move.

Discuss on how you feel about Microsoft wanting to monitor everyone.. >_>..

[myreality]

This is scary.

Do not know how it would work with current privacy laws but considering what is passing these days i doubt Microsoft would have trouble finding some way legally justify it.

I chalk it up to natural evolution of technology, we all knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Got the Drones in the sky for outside surveillance and technology for the inside surveillance. Obviously their reasoning will be, "Don't want to be monitored, don't buy the products".

[Qeomash]

Can't you just turn the Kinect off separately? Still an invasion of privacy regardless, anyway.

[Thiefami]

Quickest way to go bankrupt and to stop everyone from buying your shit. I guess they really will win the war on piracy.

[Enygma55]

Will be very hard to enforce in general. If you know about this and are watching pirated movies (or whatever this was intended to spy on) you can just ummmmm.... turn off or block the camera and/or watch it somewhere else.

For those people who dont care about being spy'd on probably arnt doing anything illegal in the first place. Really not sure where they're going with this.

[Kerberoz]

Sure they're not just sniping patents from Apple?

[Shenrien]

Can't you just turn the Kinect off separately? Still an invasion of privacy regardless, anyway.

Yeah you could turn off your Kinect but the patent would allow them for any product that runs Microsoft product could be used to monitor; Tablets, Phones, Laptops, and any media type platforms.

[Ratatapa]

And after that people blame China for trying to track everyone

[Omniyoji]

Called it from day one!

[SephYuyX]

Bunch of worry warts up in hur.

"OH GOD MS IS GOING TO WATCH ME AND TAKE MY SOUL AND PRIvacy away.. wait.. I doubt theyll get away with that if thats what theyre really trying to do.. and I guess I could always opt out of that program.. oh, and I suppose I could always just disable or move the camera.. What was the issue again?"

[hey]

Can't disable the camera for games that use it!

[SephYuyX]

But then you have to ask.. what games are worth playing that use the camera?

[Seanr]

My asshole will be in the camera. I'll give them something to monitor.

[hey]

But then you have to ask.. what games are worth playing that use the camera?

I've got nothing.

[Ratatapa]

Chatroulette

[Uzor]

They will get quite the shock if they use this function to see if only 1 person is watching a licensed porno.

[6souls]

I didn't see this posted anywhere

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/111...=1#post5466521