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Quote# 69684

Yep, Skype is a webcam software which means it can be used in our tv's so Big Bro can have a look at us too...probably whether we like it or not. The wave of the future...and it's a tsunami!

bowandarrowsparkles, Watchman's Cry 31 Comments [1/19/2010 6:22:43 PM]
Fundie Index: 10
Submitted By: gaijinlaw
WTF?! || meh
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#1098310
Sandwich Board

Your TV has a webcam?! Where can I get one of those?

1/19/2010 7:41:40 PM
#1098329
werewolf

Sparky, I know it's hard to tell the difference, but I want you to think real hard. The one with the webcam is a computer monitor. It's usually in front of a keyboard and a mouse.

The one with the antenna in front of your couch is a tv monitor. It doesn't have a webcam.

You got all that? Sorry if I made your head hurt.

1/19/2010 8:05:09 PM
#1098331
Antichrist

I have Skype, I have a TV, the two don't work together.

Why are all these Luddites on the Internet anyway?

1/19/2010 8:06:30 PM
#1098352
Rallymodeller

Nineteen Eighty-Four is a work of fiction. Just thought you'd like to know.

1/19/2010 8:24:22 PM
#1098386
Big Brother

I'M WATCHING YOU MWAHAHAHAHAHA

And, really, the book was written as a critique of Stalinism, totally dépassé in many respects.

1/19/2010 8:57:01 PM
#1098435
aaa

You seriously need to get a hint of sanity.

1/19/2010 10:00:07 PM
#1098539
SleepNeed

TVs don't have a webcam, and you can easily disable a webcam on a computer. Hell if you don't want to uninstall the software or the drivers then a few layers of black electrical tape could easily make it so nobody can see you and Skype isn't preinstalled on computers.

1/20/2010 1:25:00 AM
#1098583
Joules

Computers over here (UK) come preinstalled with Skype these days and have done for several years.

TVs, however...


1/20/2010 3:20:34 AM
#1098746
Churchy La Femme

Of course they're watching you through your tv. Why do you think all those newscasters say "see you tomorrow?"

1/20/2010 8:35:54 AM
#1098786
Papabear

It's nice of you to have donated your brain to science, but they're supposed to collect it AFTER you die.

1/20/2010 9:41:25 AM
#1098819
Doubting Thomas

Why would "Big Bro" want to watch a bunch of fat slobs parked in front of the TV all day long?

1/20/2010 11:05:17 AM
#1098845


Read the original post at the Watchman link above. Panasonic and LG are releasing TVs in North America that have a camera and the Skype function built in. So then all one would need additionally is a Web connection via Ethernet. Sounds cool to me!

Of course, the tin-foil mad hatters shudder to think of the Big Brother implications. Fortunately, as SleepNeed points out, BB can be thwarted with a little electrical tape over the camera iris when not in use. I do this with infra-red (IR) ports on laptops that cannot be disabled to prevent pop ups when it comes near other IR devices.

While there is no doubt an element of paranoia here, the technology to spy on people is no longer far fetched or difficult to deploy. Most of us carry around cell phones and subscribe to cable TV with a converter box. Cell phone microphones were turned on by the FBI to bug gangsters a few years ago and it was ruled admissible in court. I've not torn one open lately but who's to say cable boxes don't include a camera and/or microphone inside? It's assumed the connection is one way (cable provider -> TV) but, as an electrical engineer, I'm sure there's provisions for collecting information back from the boxes. That maybe just its health or viewing statistics but it could be a live feed of your living room.

(edited 21Jan10)

The OnStar satellite system for vehicles obviously has a microphone but there was a ruling in 2003 that the FBI could not spy on the occupants:

http://news.cnet.com/2100-1029_3-5109435.html

1/20/2010 11:37:19 AM
#1098993
Tolpuddle Martyr

Big brother does not get paid enough to be forced to listen to your babble!

1/20/2010 4:26:13 PM
#1099012
Frogflayer

In Soviet Russia the television watches you.

1/20/2010 4:56:23 PM
#1099042
Percy Q. Shunn

It's not Big Brother watching you.

It's me.

1/20/2010 6:43:02 PM
#1099249


software != hardware. There are no cameras in your TV screen.

1984 is not reality. Close to, but not.

1/21/2010 1:27:33 AM
#1099250
Meh...

I wouldn't put it pass someone to do something like this. All I can say... its not impossible. Wire tapping and shit like that exists... so its almost reasonable to have this fear. I can't trust someone who warrantlessly wire tapped someone else *cough* BUSH IN THE US GOVERNMENT *cough*

1/21/2010 1:28:06 AM
#1099350
Blaidd Drwg

Unless I miss my guess, he thinks - convinced - that the IR sensor used by the remote is ACTUALLY a tiny camera. After all, it's round, it's got a lens, and it looks like a camera.

1/21/2010 5:39:25 AM
#1099595
Dr. Novakaine

Paranoia: being afraid of things you think are out to get you while ignoring the things that actually could get you

1/21/2010 9:25:50 AM
#1099697
Joe Mama

Just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean they're not out to get you...

...but it probably just means you're paranoid.

1/21/2010 10:34:14 AM
#1100007
Smilodon

"so Big Bro can have a look at us too...probably whether we like it or not."

Well it's easy to prevent that. Place a monitor in front of the camera that shows any of the following: 1. Goatse, 2. 2 Girls 1 Cup, 3. Encyclopedia Dramatica. I doubt anyone would want to hack your Skype webcam then.

1/21/2010 5:23:52 PM
#1100345
Big Brother

Shit! They're on to us!

1/22/2010 7:58:56 AM
#1100374
El_Generalissimo

In Soviet Russia, TV watches YOU!!!

1/22/2010 8:58:50 AM
#1100673


But fortunately for you, Big Bro has no interest in how many Cheetohs you eat while you watch Monster Trucks, so your trailer will be of very low priority on the list.

1/22/2010 5:39:05 PM
#1100717


Umm...understanding technology fail.

1/22/2010 7:43:20 PM
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