Google reportedly looking into Dropcam acquisition as foray into home surveillance
A report on Monday claims Google is mulling an entrance into the home security business with a buyout of Dropcam, a purchase that would expand the Internet search giant's in-home product placement beyond thermostats and smoke detectors.
After a contentious $3.2 billion acquisition of Nest Learning Thermostat maker Nest Labs, Google has supposedly set its sights on home security firm Dropcam, reports The Information.
If Google is serious about the deal, it may be the most controversial buy in the company's recent history as Dropcam's products are made for one purpose: automated home surveillance. With live or recorded video feeds mated to automated push notifications, users are able to remotely keep tabs on their home from any Internet-connected device. Data lives in the cloud, meaning it can theoretically be parlayed for other uses.
Critics are already wary of Google's policies toward collection of user information for its targeted ad business and the idea of tacking on live video feeds of users' homes may not sit well with some. With mounting pressure from privacy advocates, it is highly unlikely that Google would knowingly harvest data from Dropcam's cameras if a deal goes through, though the company could potentially find a way to anonymize and collect data on other metrics like device deployment trends.
Most recently, Google caused a flap when it was discovered in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it might one day serve ads car dashboards, thermostats, glasses and watches, "just to name a few possibilities." The company later said the SEC document was incorrectly worded and told media outlets it has no plans to follow through with such activities in the near future.
For its part, Nest Labs -- which Google previously said would be allowed to run as a relatively separate entity -- responded that it too has no plans to integrate ad-serving utilities or customer data collection tools into its products. Of course this policy could one day change.
Coincidentally, Dropcam was also in the news last week after former iPod product lead Andy Hodge was hired on as VP of Hardware and Strategy.
After a contentious $3.2 billion acquisition of Nest Learning Thermostat maker Nest Labs, Google has supposedly set its sights on home security firm Dropcam, reports The Information.
If Google is serious about the deal, it may be the most controversial buy in the company's recent history as Dropcam's products are made for one purpose: automated home surveillance. With live or recorded video feeds mated to automated push notifications, users are able to remotely keep tabs on their home from any Internet-connected device. Data lives in the cloud, meaning it can theoretically be parlayed for other uses.
Critics are already wary of Google's policies toward collection of user information for its targeted ad business and the idea of tacking on live video feeds of users' homes may not sit well with some. With mounting pressure from privacy advocates, it is highly unlikely that Google would knowingly harvest data from Dropcam's cameras if a deal goes through, though the company could potentially find a way to anonymize and collect data on other metrics like device deployment trends.
Most recently, Google caused a flap when it was discovered in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it might one day serve ads car dashboards, thermostats, glasses and watches, "just to name a few possibilities." The company later said the SEC document was incorrectly worded and told media outlets it has no plans to follow through with such activities in the near future.
For its part, Nest Labs -- which Google previously said would be allowed to run as a relatively separate entity -- responded that it too has no plans to integrate ad-serving utilities or customer data collection tools into its products. Of course this policy could one day change.
Coincidentally, Dropcam was also in the news last week after former iPod product lead Andy Hodge was hired on as VP of Hardware and Strategy.
Comments
Thanks but no thanks.
A creepy advertising company selling home surveillance products? Yeah, fucking perfect.
Google certainly has some balls. Hopefully people are not fucking stupid.
Aren't they the most innovative company out there according to certain people?
I mean all talk and no actual products makes you incredibly innovative.
/s
Does Google actually develop any of their own stuff or do they just buy everything?
Acquiring new technology is actually the norm in many industries these days. Perfectly reasonable business model. Of course, what isn't reasonable is a company that peddles people's privacy getting in the home surveillance business. That's the camel putting its nose in the tent.
...or worse:-
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Spouse playing around? Contact Joe's private detectives.
Taking "personalised" ads to a whole new level.
I just don't see the value in DropCam...
I don't like the future I'm seeing. Google needs it's limbs cut off. Start with the head.
There is no plan of reason for Google's acquisitions. It's the total opposite to Apple's careful and strategic purchases.
Google has less then four years to come up with a different reason for existing before the patent behind their business expires. That may be a long time in one sense, but Google's scared as can be and grasping at anything they see... One of these days they may have a garage sale of all the cats and dogs they've over-paid for.
A creepy advertising company selling home surveillance products? Yeah, fucking perfect.
Google certainly has some balls. Hopefully people are not fucking stupid.
Get real :-), you've been here long enough to know that a hell of a lot of people are amazingly stupid. Just read the posts and laugh.
I don't understand it really... web-cam technology is nothing special... why not just build their own under the Nest label? People want integration, not 15 different brands all fighting for space.
I just don't see the value in DropCam...
There is no plan of reason for Google's acquisitions. It's the total opposite to Apple's careful and strategic purchases.
Google has less then four years to come up with a different reason for existing before the patent behind their business expires. That may be a long time in one sense, but Google's scared as can be and grasping at anything they see... One of these days they may have a garage sale of all the cats and dogs they've over-paid for.
Of course you are in on the inside at both Giggle and Apple and know all about their strategic purposes don't you /s.
I'm glad this has come to my attention because I was planning on ordering some of their equipment this summer. That is definitely a NEGATIVE on that purchase plan. NO WAY do I trust Google not looking in on people. They already have with the satellite info and with the trick on tracking people anyway behind the lines of safety with Safari, this is just going to far. When did a single company with advertisements become more scary then NSA or CIA.
I don't like the future I'm seeing. Google needs it's limbs cut off. Start with the head.
Then you're in for some hard times .. If Google does't buy a promising Tech company, then Apple or Facebook or Yahoo or Microsoft or whoever else, will do. So I suppose you spend all of your money throwing out and replacing everything you ever buy because the manufacturer got snapped up by some other company that you hadn't expected. Go for it !
That headline is TERRIFYING!!
Will the patent expire or will Google's exclusive use of the patent expire?