Microsoft Wants to Use Cameras to Spy on Customers

Filed a patent that would use cameras to detect whether user paid for content being viewed, be it on a TV or a smartphone

A new patent application filed by Microsoft and granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office details a content distribution system which uses cameras to detect whether or not you've been paying for your content.

The patent, US20120278904, works as a surveillance mechanism, inbuilt within devices including television sets, computers, smartphones and tablets in order to enforce digital rights management (DRM). In other words, if you're streaming content without a license, it can be detected—and your media stream cut off.