The reveal for the Xbox One had users across the globe excited for the new console, but some new privacy settings have users nervous.
For those who hate to be tracked on the web or through their media actions, the Xbox One just got a little scary. Microsoft has requested a patent which reveals that the company intends on tracked every single view of a TV show, or even commercials, by consumers. Not only would these actions be tracked, but users would rack up "points" on some kind of system to redeem for rewards. With each Xbox One console coming with the new and improved Kinect 2 (which can monitor heart rate, user eye movements, and also work in the dark), the system will be able to know if a user is actually watching, or walked away when commercials come on.
Game-ifying television (and commercial) watching is a new feature of the Xbox One that has never before been tried to this level. According to the patent request by Microsoft, users would be able to view their "scores" for watching TV shows, ads, sports games, and more as well as view the scores of their friends. Rewards for watching certain shows or commercials would also be given in the form of avatar upgrades or achievements. Time Vines, Civil Liberties Australia Head went as far as to call this "a twisted nightmare" for privacy, stating that "Microsoft's new Xbox meets the definition of a surveillance device under some Australian laws, so they need to be upfront and tell customers whether anyone else can intercept their information... the Xbox One continuously records all sorts of personal information about me... my reaction rates, my learning or emotional states." Whether or not users will be intimidated by the notion of their console constantly watching their activities may have a significant impact on how well the system will sell after its release this winter.
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