If Android phones are listening to what shows they watch then I can be spied on just by being in range of an Android user. That's some BS right there!
You forgot the /s tag.
As I'm sure you were probably suggesting there would be no way for you to be identified and thus "spied on" even IF a computer server was "listening" to someone else's device. Therefor ignore the tin-foil being passed around by one or two folks. Other readers might have missed what you really meant but I didn't.
Please spend some time reading up on a technology called "speaker recognition" instead of passive aggressively putting words into my mouth.
You mean you were serious?? Oh, well then sorry. I highly doubt "speaker recognition" would include you good sir but may as well play it safe, eh? Sometimes I think people are following me when I'm out and about late at night too so I get it. It can be scary.
Please spend some time reading up on a technology called "speaker recognition" instead of passive aggressively putting words into my mouth.
You mean you were serious?? Oh, well then sorry. I highly doubt "speaker recognition" would include you good sir but may as well play it safe, eh? Sometimes I think people are following me when I'm out and about late at night too so I get it. It can be scary.
Switching from passive aggressive to condescending doesn't help your position. Are you suggesting that Google wouldn't use existing technology to build a profile for individuals and use those profiles for the betterment of Google's bottom line? To suggest that Google keeps tabs on people is in the realm of tin-foil hat wearing paranoia? How much does Google pay you to pitch such garbage?
Please spend some time reading up on a technology called "speaker recognition" instead of passive aggressively putting words into my mouth.
You mean you were serious?? Oh, well then sorry. I highly doubt "speaker recognition" would include you good sir but may as well play it safe, eh? Sometimes I think people are following me when I'm out and about late at night too so I get it. It can be scary.
Are you suggesting that Google wouldn't use existing technology to build a profile for individuals and use those profiles for the betterment of Google's bottom line?
Yup, if you're referring to "microphone spyware" that's exactly what I'm suggesting, as are the authors of the articles I linked that explain what it is and who IS using it. Follow the links as they explain a whole lot more than the AI article does.
Apple has control over both the hardware and software. Google has partial control of the software. The Chinese and Amazon have forked Android. And there's nothing to stop the handset manufacturers from including software that can bypass Android's control to access the microphone directly. In such a case a hardware manufacturer might be able to monetize such a service apart from Google.
Any handset manufacturer can do this and it does not necessarily have to run Android. This could easily be done to a basic handset, but it would need a CPU of some sophistication to turn on the microphone when desired. It is not impossible, but would be difficult to do on a basic handset. Android makes it far easier. For example, someone accesses a remote control application to change the television channel. The application could then turn on the handset's microphone and send the audio file over the web to anyone who might be interested. The programs being watched and the discussion would be of interest to a great many people including producers, network executives, advertisers, etc. A basic handset could do this, but would be limited. In many cases, it might need to continuously record and the file then searched for pertinent keywords.
I am absolutely certain that this will be coming and that it will be feature exclusive to Android handsets. Apple has control of the entire widget and won't allow such practices. Google cannot stop it. They are at the mercy of the hardware OEMs.
Android has some deeply flawed fundamental issues. The handset manufacturers now have the upper hand, especially Samsung who has a full working knowledge of the OS issues and can build the software functionality into their handsets allowing the app producers to access the hardware apart from Android and charge a fee in doing so. Such an arrangement could easily render Google's advertising model obsolete as the data obtained from the handset's camera and microphone directly would be far more valuable.
Perhaps the FBI would not need to break into an iPhone. They can simply access the conversation itself directly.
I want what you're smoking. Some of you guys should write Apple fan fiction where insane theories like this come to life and you can live out your fantasy where Android users are rounded up by the new world order after all their information is stolen and Apple users are safely in their homes, next to their fireplaces reading their children bedtime stories and living happily ever after.
Nah, we all know some Android user patsy, they're failure at security will do us, dilligent Iphone users, in like the rest; there is no security unless our poor Android breathen are themselves secure ;-).
This noisome software doesn't seem to listen to or do anything with all the audio it picks up. Supposedly it only listens for human-inaudible beacons hidden in the TV audio so it isn't transmitting much data. The article doesn't seem to mention that the company says it's not in use in the US:
Known as Silverpush, the software is designed to monitor consumers’
television use through the use of “audio beacons” emitted by TVs, which
consumers can’t hear but can be detected by the software. The letters
note that the software would be capable of producing a detailed log of
the television content viewed while a user’s mobile device was turned on
for the purpose of targeted advertising and analytics.
The letters note that Silverpush has stated publicly that its service
is not currently in use in the United States, but it encourages app
developers to notify consumers that their app could allow third parties
to monitor consumers’ television viewing habits should the software
begin to be used in the United States.
I presume this means a US based user who downloads an app containing this crap will still have it listening but that it will be listening in vain because the beacons aren't being used in programming in the US.
Are you suggesting that Google wouldn't use existing technology to build a profile for individuals and use those profiles for the betterment of Google's bottom line?
Yup, if you're referring to "microphone spyware" that's exactly what I'm suggesting, as are the authors of the articles I linked that explain what it is and who IS using it. Follow the links as they explain a whole lot more than the AI article does.
Sorry, your links did nothing to change my mind and restore my faith in Google; I just don't trust them. In your over 14,000 posts, how many minds have you changed to see Google in a better light? None? Well, better luck with your next 14K.
Comments
This noisome software doesn't seem to listen to or do anything with all the audio it picks up. Supposedly it only listens for human-inaudible beacons hidden in the TV audio so it isn't transmitting much data. The article doesn't seem to mention that the company says it's not in use in the US:
http://rapidmobile.biz/news/ftc-issues-warning-letters-app-developers-using-silverpush-code/
I presume this means a US based user who downloads an app containing this crap will still have it listening but that it will be listening in vain because the beacons aren't being used in programming in the US.