Camera and microphone in digital TV converter box

Comment #17

wiltay — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:23:25 GMT

I heard a few years back that the newer TV sets were being used to spy on people. I still have my same old TV set that I bought in 1988 and I don't really watch a lot of TV I like to buy whatever I watch on DVD or VHS anyway. You can't believe what the news media tell you anymore either, so I'm selective about what I choose to watch. Great Info. Thanks for sharing.

Comment #16

truecritic — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:07:27 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUi3sA1gdfI

Comment #15

justxploring — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:54:05 GMT

I wish you could explain that to Congress! LOL <br

Comment #14

Rick G — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:23:26 GMT

Yeah duct tape, a hammer and WD-40 are indispensable tools. Throw in a channel lock pliers and a screwdriver and you can fix most anything.

Comment #13

konane — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:35:29 GMT

If the converter box stops working that means you just covered the remote control sensor. <br

Comment #12

konane — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:30:37 GMT

<br

Comment #11

Rick G — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:20:14 GMT

I wonder what the fedcorpgov is going to do when the people stop paying their taxes. That would put an instant stop to this bullsh&t. @Nancy...go easy on the beer...they are hiking taxes on it to the roof. Might want to get a Mr. Beer home brewery kit.

Comment #10

charmed7 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:08:57 GMT

touch that remote, it will shut off. I believe there something install in those boxes. Yes we all can b trased very easy

Comment #9

justxploring — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:34:48 GMT

(yes, I've already seen all of them, but it's been a long time) I always thought that was a mole on the back of my neck. Hmm. I really hope nobody can see me in my jammies. Is there a smell sensor? I read that Nokia is working on some kind of mobile smelling sensor. I'm fighting back if the government starts to spy on me. I'm going to start drinking a lot of beer.

Comment #8

four4me — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:20:05 GMT

All communications are already being monitored every phone call and email that is sent is being screened it has been for years by NSA.

Comment #7

time*treat — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:17:06 GMT

LOL - I call that type of article "officially denied".

Comment #6

Rick G — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:03:58 GMT

@t*t...just read the Comcast "gesture" explanation...biggest pile of elephant doo-doo I've ever seen. I know we're supposed to be dumbed down, but that's really a stretch.

Comment #5

TigerAngel — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:53:08 GMT

Our privacy is being squashed everywhere ya look!!!!!!!!! Throw a blanket over your tv/converter box/dvdplayer/cable box, unplug your phone, computer, etc.etc. OMG, move to a remote area with no electricity! What a bunch of insane control freaks we got runing the show!!!

Comment #4

Rick G — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:51:43 GMT

@konane, I'll go out on a limb here...I think #44 might be one of them. A lot of other people think that too.

Comment #3

Rick G — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:46:15 GMT

@t*t, I didn't want to get into AMDOCS country origin either. Let the reader figure it out. There's a lot of info out there on this subject and many others. I don't want to end up in a plane crash or suicided.... ;)

Comment #2

konane — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:42:18 GMT

They say similar listening technology is in some of the tracking software in some rental cars, plus other newer paid subscription assistance. Not promising, think I'll drive my Flintstones' era vehicle until it croaks. LOL

Comment #1

time*treat — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:36:18 GMT

newteevee.com/2008/03/23/update-comcast-responds-to-camera-story note the date

Original Blog Entry: Camera and microphone in digital TV converter box

Rick G — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:31:40 GMT

Some (like me) were suspicious of these new TV converter boxes and the need to convert from analog to digital signal in the first place. Their reason was to free up airwaves for local emergency communications (cops, FEMA, DHS, etc.). Here is a link to a video showing the camera and microphone in a Magnavox brand converter box.

Related to this, it has been established that you can be eavesdropped on by the microphone in your cell phone even if the phone is turned off. You have to remove the battery to circumvent this.

Here is a link regarding AMDOCS, the company with the contract for NSA surveillance/wiretapping equipment that has been monitoring EVERY call in the US. There is a 'backdoor' built into the system allowing a third party to listen in. It has been suggested that the White House secret codes regarding Air Force One may have been hijacked this way on 9/11/01. They were looking for a foreign state mole in the White House who could have had access to these codes but they don't think it could have have been done by a single person. Do a search on 'Mossad Mega' for more on this spy story. It's an eye opener.

OK, back to the converter boxes. Imagine you and your spouse/lover/gay friend/hand decide to get randy on the couch (or bed). Well someone is watching and listening to you from that box sitting on top of your TV. What other reason would there be to include a camera and microphone into a TV signal converter box? (and don't tell me it's an ad targeting tool which is the excuse you will hear from the manufacturers when the outrage reaches a crescendo).

You may think it's impossible to monitor that much information but they use data mining/meta tags to zero in on what they want and their computer files it away for later examination.

Mighty powerful blackmailing tool. I believe many of our D.C. politicians are being blackmailed.

I have heard that some newer model TV sets have the camera/mic too...they are more difficult to find because they are located in a corner of your screen space and you'd have to dismantle the TV to find it. But I don't know that for a fact.

If I hear more, I'll keep you posted.

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