IPTV - watch and being watched
IPTV means TV over the internet.Unlike regular TV via antenna, cable or satellite IPTV transmits the TV program over the internet.
At conventional TV a conclusion on recipients behaviour can only be made through a opinion survey.The interviewed person imparts his information by participating on the survey. A significant feature of IPTV is the so called feedback channel. That means there's not only a data flow from the TV station to the viewer, but also backwards. In fact there is data flow back from the viewer to the TV station, the feedback channel.
potential of the technology
Like Video on Demand, TV shows and movies can be individually started or paused by the viewer. By the help of IPTV, providers are able to offer the viewer an multifaceted interactive service which is perfectly tailored to his needs. So only those video text pages are displayed that attract the viewers interest with a high likeliness, based on the viewers profile. Furthermore the TV station can submit a recommendation to the viewer, regarding current or upcoming shows that fit to the profile of the viewer. The viewer is also able to interact with other viewers, for example via Live-Chat. A single viewer acting as an expert can get into contact with the editorial office. He's also able to provide his picture to the editorial office via a regular webcam - of course live!
risks concerning the surveillance society
But the feedback channel also involves some risks. Unlike regular TV where the TV station has no possibility to collect information about the TV behaviour of the viewer, IPTV has the technical qualifications. The service provider can easily create a TV profile of the viewer. The provider may also be able to obtain personal information by the help of competitions and then link them with the viewers profile. By and by the TV station can create a very detailed profile of the user, knowing exactly about his TV behaviours, about what he bought at teleshopping and if he skips the washing powder ad. The IPTV provider may also link profiles of different viewers with each other, enabling him to recognize friendships or relations, because viewers exchange show recommendations one another.
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