so THAT's what's pissing them off (more on Gibson & Matt 27:25)

( perhaps not nearly as accurate as we've been told... )

back to Tivo

A news release from TiVo, the personal digital recorder company, saying that owners of the devices played and replayed the Janet Jackson incident at the Super Bowl numerous times has raised questions about whether the recorder could also be used in ways that infringe on privacy rights. "It noticed that boxes were doing that, but it didn't notice it was Phil's box that was doing that," TiVo spokesman Scott Sutherland told today's (Thursday) Chicago Sun-Times.

Nevertheless, he conceded that the potential for misuse exists since TiVo devices are hooked up to telephone lines. Commented Sutherland, "I understand people have privacy concerns [about TiVo]. But when you look at the actual track record and the policy and procedures, that may not be altogether justifiable."

-- IMDB News

I rest my case.

"yeah, we're logging everything you do, but its not like we're gonna actually DO anything with that data..."

Things change. If Tivo gets bought out, for example, that data is very likely part of the sale, to perhaps a company with a much worse track record. Also, the very fact that it is known to exist makes it a target for a court subpoena; when combined with other factors in the Patriot approach, it may mean that your data is going to the government and Tivo wouldn't be required or even PERMITTED to tell you.

Privacy policies can just be damned if the feds ask for it in the right way.

THAT is why it would be better if the logging was stopped and the existing data destroyed.

Hey Tivo: provide a service; Stay out of the "information age". The fewer data sources organizations have to get info on us, the better.

update: A followup article is at CNet.