Imagine the following scenario. You are in the proximity of a crime, be it homicide, drug dealing, a bank robbery, and the law enforcement authorities decide you are a potential witness because some electronic device has geo-tagged you at that location. The device can be your car, or more likely, your phone or computer. And, if the police can get this information, so can the lawyers defending the bad guys – potentially sparking an investigation into your past with the purpose of discrediting you as a witness.

Unlikely you say? Look at these two new Google patents …

United States Patent Application 20140025754  -- MOB SOURCE PHONE VIDEO COLLABORATION

Methods and systems for identifying video clips in a video clip repository that are of the same event are disclosed. Video clips are identified as being of the same event based on timestamps and geo-location stamps associated with the video clips. In one embodiment, authors of video clips receive messages that notify them of the existence of other video clips of the same event.

Video is becoming pervasive on the World Wide Web. In addition to content providers (e.g., news organizations, media companies, etc.) providing a wealth of video clips on their websites, everyday users are uploading user-generated video clips to various repository websites. In addition, users of such websites may "follow" other users in the same way as users of social networking services and conveniently view video clips uploaded by or recommended by these other users. User-generated video clips are typically recorded with digital video cameras, digital still cameras that have video capability, and increasingly, wireless terminals (e.g., smartphones, etc.) that have still camera and video capabilities.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system identifies video clips of an event (e.g., a wedding, a sports event, an everyday scene, etc.) based on timestamps and geo-location stamps of the video clips, and transmits a message that indicates the existence of the video clips.

United States Patent Application 20140025755 -- INFERRING EVENTS BASED ON MOB SOURCE VIDEO

Methods and systems are disclosed for inferring that an event of interest (e.g., a public gathering, a performance, an accident, etc.) has likely occurred. In particular, when there are at least a given number of video clips with similar timestamps and geo-location stamps uploaded to a repository, it is inferred that an event of interest has likely occurred, and a notification signal is transmitted (e.g., to a law enforcement agency, to a news organization, to a publisher of a periodical, to a public blog, etc.).

Video is becoming pervasive on the World Wide Web. In addition to content providers (e.g., news organizations, media companies, etc.) providing a wealth of video clips on their websites, everyday users are uploading user-generated video clips to various repository websites. In addition, users of such websites may "follow" other users in the same way as users of social networking services and conveniently view video clips uploaded by or recommended by these other users. User-generated video clips are typically recorded with digital video cameras, digital still cameras that have video capability, and increasingly, wireless terminals (e.g., smartphones, etc.) that have still camera and video capabilities.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a computer system infers that an event of interest (e.g., a public gathering, a performance, an accident, etc.) has likely occurred when there are at least a given number of video clips with similar timestamps and geo-location stamps uploaded to a repository. The computer system, in response to the inference, transmits a notification (e.g., to a law enforcement agency, to a news organization, to a publisher of a periodical, to a public blog, etc.) that indicates the likely occurrence of an event, as well as a time and geo-location associated with the event.

Of course, the patent applications do not mention that a number of people at a sporting event, or even a family picnic, might have their uploaded photos and other information automatically sent to law enforcement, the media, and others who have no legitimate interest in private activities that may be occurring on private property.

Bottom line …

Another example of how we are losing our privacy one device at a time. Let us not forget that Google has recently purchased Nest, the maker of intelligent thermostats and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and that many televisions now contain surveillance devices that can record audio, video, and provide further information (pulse rate, etc.) on people in proximity to the device – witting or unwitting.

It is time to insure that we update our Constitutional rights to due process and against unreasonable search and seizure in this digital age. We have surpassed anything that George Orwell may have imagined in his iconic work, 1984.

-- steve