Blogcritics: Comments on Nielsen to Track TiVO Usage

Comment by trojanhorse

Tue, 6 Dec 2005 00:16:36 EST

This is only a small part of a grand scheme to track and control everyone and everything. People through out the world are being incrimentally conditioned to accept more and more intrusive technology. These technologies being used in the way they are go against what we think America to be. All must resist now before it's too late.

Comment by TDavid

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 15:26:46 EST

My point, Eric, is how or why should they be using the phone home approach for paid customers? The only thing TiVO should be doing is downloading the schedules. They should not be taking advantage of that download schedules window of opportunity to find out what shows we are recording, what sections of shows we are replaying, etc. How otherwise could they come out and say that was 'the most watched event in TiVO history'? Aggregate data on feature use that is not specific is fine. Also I think if the service is free then they have the right -- as long as they tell you in advance -- to track activity. Otherwise it's just another intrusive form of spyware.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 13:00:01 EST

I would guess that TiVO keeps track of usage from their own end, the aggregate of which would have been where they got their info. i am not concerned about aggregate stats, but I wouldn't want them keeping track of my own personal usage.

Comment by TDavid

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 12:53:53 EST

BTW, I'm talking about how they knew about the Janet Jackson thing and were out quoting statistics, not the 'opt-in' panel with Nielson mentioned here. The Opt-In thing seems fine to me.

Comment by TDavid

Tue, 10 Feb 2004 12:52:22 EST

I can see tracking free public television broadcasting numbers or free TV, but I do not like them playing spykeeper on the TiVO boxes when they are charging for their service. I'm seriously considering ditching the TiVO and using one of our computers as a PVR over this. I'm sure buried in their TOS there's something in there that gives them permission to do this.