If only the channels you're tuned to come into your house with this new system, the Cable Co will be able to tell instantly how many televisions are on (at least how many are tuned to different shows), what those shows are, whether the subscriber is leaving a single channel up or surfing, etc. just by paying attention to which data is getting sent where.
Essentially, every screen could become a data-point in an audience database. (Also, your cable company will know for certain just how much playboy channel you watch.) What happens when Homeland Security uses Total Information Awareness to poll this data for "suspicious" viewers?
Of course, If a subscriber is only using bandwidth for what they are watching, they may want to pay _only_ for what they're watching (a la carte business model).
Definitely a mixed bag - less privacy, but increased practicality of alternate pricing models.
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If only the channels you're tuned to come into your house with this new system, the Cable Co will be able to tell instantly how many televisions are on (at least how many are tuned to different shows), what those shows are, whether the subscriber is leaving a single channel up or surfing, etc. just by paying attention to which data is getting sent where.
Essentially, every screen could become a data-point in an audience database. (Also, your cable company will know for certain just how much playboy channel you watch.) What happens when Homeland Security uses Total Information Awareness to poll this data for "suspicious" viewers?
Of course, If a subscriber is only using bandwidth for what they are watching, they may want to pay _only_ for what they're watching (a la carte business model).
Definitely a mixed bag - less privacy, but increased practicality of alternate pricing models.