Intel Forced To Scrap Face-Recognition Cameras In Web TV Kits

A report by the Wall Street Journal suggests that Intel is being forced to scrap its plans for facial recognition tracking cameras in its web TV set-top boxes amid public outrage towards privacy and surveillance issues.

Intel’s plans for its own web TV set-top boxes were to install a facial recognition camera to detect the age, gender and other details about a person which would then be used to customise advertising that is targeted towards that particular person thus allowing Intel to offer better advertising to partners.

The plan by Intel makes financial sense as it would give advertisers large incentives to move towards Intel Web TV boxes for advertising though privacy concerns and public outrage have now put an end to the plan by Intel. It is also reported that the feature does not work with low lightning, such as the evenings when people are more likely to be watching TV, and thus this added to the decision to drop the feature.

Intel’s Web TV set-top boxes are still yet to be released to the market but at least consumers can be assured that they will not feature tracking cameras when they are released. How Intel can still offer a more attractive package to advertisers than its competitors, without the use of such tracking, is anyone’s guess.

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