Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Facebook Wants People to Invite Its Cameras into Their Homes
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
October 8, 2018

Share

SAN FRANCISCO — Facebook is launching the first electronic device to bear its brand, a screen and camera-equipped gadget intended to make video calls easier and more intuitive.
But it’s unclear if people will open their homes to an internet-connected camera sold by a company with a questionable track record on protecting user privacy.
Facebook is marketing the device, called Portal, as a way for its more than 2 billion users to chat with one another without having to fuss with positioning and other controls. The device features a camera that uses artificial intelligence to automatically zoom as people move around during calls.
Since Echo’s release nearly four years ago, both Google and Apple have followed Amazon in releasing smart speakers designed for use with their other digital services — some of them, at least. These speakers can serve as hub-like controllers for “smart” homes as people install appliances, lighting and security systems that can be controlled over the internet.

Raising Privacy Questions

Portal represents Facebook’s entry into that fray. But pointing an artificially intelligent camera into peoples’ homes could well raise other privacy questions.

“The first thing consumers are going to wonder is ‘how much sensitive data is this collecting about me?'” — John Breyault, vice president of public policy of telecommunications and fraud at the National Consumers League
“The first thing consumers are going to wonder is ‘how much sensitive data is this collecting about me?'” said John Breyault, vice president of public policy of telecommunications and fraud at the National Consumers League, a Washington-based consumer advocacy group that has received donations from Facebook and other tech companies.
Earlier this year, Facebook had to acknowledge that as many as 87 million people may have had their data accessed by Cambridge Analytica, a data mining firm that worked for the Trump campaign and aimed to use the data to influence elections. More recently, Facebook revealed that hackers managed to pierce its security to break into 50 million accounts .
Facebook says it won’t “listen to, view or keep the contents ” of video calls, adding that the Portal camera won’t use facial recognition or identify people in the video calls. The device will allow users to disable the camera and microphone with a single tap and to lock it with a numerical passcode. There’s also a physical camera cover to prevent recording.

Portal Will Not Display Facebook Ads

Portal will not display Facebook ads “at this time,” the company said, although it noted that third-party services such as music streaming might embed their own ads the same way they do on other devices.

“This is going to gain (Facebook) not only a place in the smart home, but also data they may not have been able to collect before or understand before.”ABI Research analyst Jonathan Collins
“This is going to gain (Facebook) not only a place in the smart home, but also data they may not have been able to collect before or understand before,” said ABI Research analyst Jonathan Collins. This includes people’s location, activities and interests — “all the reasons companies want to get into the home.”
Facebook will offer Portal in two sizes — a $199 model with a 10-inch horizontal screen and a $349 “Plus” version with a 15.6-inch screen that can switch between vertical or horizontal orientations.
Both models also include an internet-connected speaker that includes Amazon’s voice-activated digital assistant, Alexa. Portal connects calls through Facebook’s Messenger app, meaning that it can connect calls with people who aren’t using Portal.

DON'T MISS

Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?

DON'T MISS

Illegal Immigrant Faces Murder Charges in Death of Woman Lit on Fire in NYC Subway

DON'T MISS

$1M Investment in Fresno Lender to Help Small Businesses Get Funding

DON'T MISS

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

DON'T MISS

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

DON'T MISS

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

DON'T MISS

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

DON'T MISS

Media Relations Expert Leaves City Hall for Valley Children’s Hospital

DON'T MISS

Amar Augillard Departs the Fresno State Basketball Team

UP NEXT

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

UP NEXT

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

UP NEXT

Cheers! Wine Clubs Are This Year’s Hottest Last Minute Gift

UP NEXT

House Ethics Committee Accuses Gaetz of ‘Regularly’ Paying for Sex With Women, Including Minor

UP NEXT

‘It’s Living Hell’: Nurses Say CA Addiction Recovery Program Ended Their Careers

UP NEXT

Jeffrey Sachs Warns of Looming US War With Iran

UP NEXT

A Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill

UP NEXT

New California Voter ID Ban Puts Conservative Cities at Odds With State

UP NEXT

University of California Campuses Resolve Discrimination Complaints Stemming From Gaza Protests

UP NEXT

California Declared an Emergency Over Bird Flu. How Serious Is the Situation?

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

13 hours ago

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

13 hours ago

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

13 hours ago

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

14 hours ago

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

14 hours ago

Media Relations Expert Leaves City Hall for Valley Children’s Hospital

15 hours ago

Amar Augillard Departs the Fresno State Basketball Team

15 hours ago

Former Bulldog QB Mikey Keene Commits to Michigan

15 hours ago

Thunderstorms on Christmas Eve? They’re in the Fresno Forecast

16 hours ago

SE Fresno Voters Have Their Pick of Familiar Candidates to Succeed Chavez

16 hours ago

Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?

As Christmas approaches, I know that my Christian friends will ask me why I chose to work for the environmental nonprofit Earthday.org inste...

21 minutes ago

21 minutes ago

Opinion: Does Jesus Want Christians to Be Environmentalists?

11 hours ago

Illegal Immigrant Faces Murder Charges in Death of Woman Lit on Fire in NYC Subway

12 hours ago

$1M Investment in Fresno Lender to Help Small Businesses Get Funding

13 hours ago

Who Is Making a Difference in Fresno? Explore This List of 2024’s Shining Stars

13 hours ago

Fresno State Tossed by Northern Illinois in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

A closed wharf is seen in Santa Cruz, Calif., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, after the pier partially collapsed and fell into the ocean. (AP/Martha Mendoza)
13 hours ago

2 Rescued After Santa Cruz Wharf Partially Collapses Due to Heavy Surf From Major Pacific Storm

14 hours ago

Spain Faces Threats of Terrorism and Unrest, US Warns in Travel Advisory

14 hours ago

Bill Clinton Is Hospitalized With a Fever but in Good Spirits, Spokesperson Says

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend