Yahoo Finance Facebook 'to launch camera-equipped TV streaming device' amid privacy concerns
Facebook is pushing ahead with its plans to get a camera into millions of homes despite widespread privacy concerns.
According to code hidden in Facebook's Android app, the company is working on a TV mounted camera that doubles up as a streaming device.
The system is designed to be placed atop a TV, providing video chat capabilities and the ability to view Facebook Watch and third-party videos.
Codenamed "Ripley", details of the system were first discovered by Hong Kong-based developer Jane Wong. It is expected sit in the same product family as Facebook's Portal system and could be announced next year, according to sources speaking to Cheddar.
Ripley's discovery follows the launch of Facebook's in-home Portal video chat system last week.
The tablet-like system, featuring a 10-inch screen, allows users to make video calls over Facebook's Messenger app and represents its first push into the hardware market.
Facebook has also installed Amazon's Alexa on Portal for smart home functions. Alexa will let users of Portal use voice commands for music on Spotify or asking questions.
While Facebook initially reassured users that calls are encrypted and said data from the device would not be used to sell adverts, it has since backtracked on in its remarks. Facebook has now admitted that data the length of calls and frequency of calls can be used to inform advert targeting.
"We may use this information to inform the ads we show you across our platforms. Other general usage data, such as aggregate usage of apps, may also feed into the information that we use to serve ads," a spokesman said.
Portal's product head Rafa Camargo told Recode that Facebook didn't "intend to use" the data, but "potentially it could be used".
Facebook Portal products are Android-based.
Portal+'s device name "Aloha", while Portal is "Ohana".
While spectating their app code, it seems they have another media device codenamed "Ripley"
I wonder if it's an actual device, or just for debug ��
Tip @Techmemepic.twitter.com/I4Vx0q285P— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 8, 2018
When launching Portal, Facebook head of devices Andrew Bosworth told the Daily Telegraph security was paramount on the device. "We are building privacy and security first in all of our products," Bosworth said. "When introducing a product to consumers you want to make sure they are in complete control of how that is going to integrate into their life."
The product has fuelled widespread privacy concerns. Pat Walshe, founder of Privacy Matters, said having Facebook on any device was like "putting Dracula in charge of the bloodbank".
He added Portal's privacy policy "does not say whether Facebook uses data about the use of a Portal device to support its broader advertising activities".
Facebook is still dealing with the fallout of a data breach that affected up to 30 million users. A flaw in on Facebook allowed hackers to steal access to data on Facebook profiles. The bug affected around 3 million users in Europe, according to the Irish Data Protection Commissioner.
