Janet hands TiVo owners a clue about their privacy and viewing habits

[Wonk]

Janet Jackson's Super Bowl flash dance was shocking in more ways than one: Some TiVo users say the event brought home the realization that their beloved digital video recorders are watching them, too.

(snip)

So what information does TiVo collect about its viewers? The company can indeed tell what has been watched on a particular TiVo box, down to the second, including the number of times a moment was rewound and played again, or a commercial was skipped.

more...
http://news.com.com/2102-1041_3-5154219.html?tag=st.util.print

How to build your own PVR
http://home.comcast.net/~bmbarnes0111/
http://www.mythtv.org/

[John BigBootay]

1. That's right-- and watch what you download--

on the net. That's able to be tracked as well, obviously.

[mourningdove92]

2. I am glad I am not the only one

that was appalled by that information. Tin foil hat, be damned. Tivo really let the cat out of the bag on this on.

[BearFlagDemocrat]

3. Maybe Tivo was shocked by the reaction...

Because they assumed everyone who owned a Tivo was at least passingly familiar with their privacy policy. Tivo probably assumed that people took some responsibility for their own consumerism, and actually read at least a few of the terms of their Tivo subscription agreement.

Silly Tivo.

[Akbar]

6. And They Conglomerate the Data

They don't attach your name to any data they collect.

When I see people get the vapors over this, I wonder what they're watching on television. If someone cares whether I watch Real Sex or the Teletubbies, I have no shame in saying I watch one but not the other.

[AndyP]

4. Jeez

I was thinking about getting TIVO, not anymore.

[John BigBootay]

5. I HATE the idea of ANYONE keeping tabs on me

But, they can only monitor what your watching on TV-- what's coming through your cable connection. It's not as if there are secret channels and radical news outlets. I don't own a TiVo, but I can't honestly see this a major threat, but more of another nibble at our general privacy that has been occuring for the last 20 or so years.

I don't know. I guess it's a red flag for potential TiVo owners.

[BearFlagDemocrat]

8. It never ceases to amaze me...

How people think that what they watch on TV is so fascinating that corporate big brother has nothing better to do than employ people who spend their whole career "keeping tabs" on people who use their products.

Sorry for the tone, I'm just really shocked that people are so paranoid that they'd keep from getting a DVR just because some data is sent the other way. Tivo is pretty open and straightforward about the type of data they collect, and how personal information is not attached to it.

Personally, I've owned a Tivo for over five years, and I love it. I hate watching TV over at a friend's house, because you don't realize how much of a show you miss until you can't rewind or pause. If you don't like watching TV, don't bother with Tivo, but if (like me) you like watching shows and movies that are typically on at unconventional times (like the time I recorded Koyannisqatsi at 3 am on IFC), it's really a useful tool.

[Nomad559]

7. AVS Forum thread on TiVO

AVS Forum