"UK Apartment Residents Under Siege from Creepy Digital Billboards"
Residents in hundreds of apartment blocks across the UK are waking up to a disturbing sight: digital billboards equipped with cameras that can track viewers' responses to ads. The invasive technology, supplied by 30Seconds Group, is being installed in communal areas, leaving many feeling like they're living in a surveillance state.
Under the guise of providing "occupant engagement" data, these devices are tracking residents as they wait for lifts or move around their homes. Potential advertisers are convinced that this advanced targeting will make their ads more impactful and memorable. However, civil liberties campaigners like Jake Hurfurt from Big Brother Watch see it as a blatant invasion of privacy.
"It's creepy as hell," Hurfurt says. "Billboards equipped with demographic scanning tech have no place in people's homes. They're the height of surveillance capitalism."
One resident, Conor Nocher, echoes his sentiments. He pays £209 per month for his studio flat and is outraged to discover that part of this service charge is going towards a device that shows him unwanted ads. The presence of cameras in these devices has also raised concerns about being "spied on".
Despite assurances from property companies like Places for People that the cameras are not operational, many residents remain skeptical. With some 1,000 buildings slated to receive these digital noticeboards by the end of the year, it's clear that this invasive technology is here to stay – at least for now.
As one resident notes, "In other buildings, residents are being tracked with the device, because the boss of 30Seconds Group says they are." It seems that the company has no qualms about exploiting its customers as a means to collect valuable data. The question remains: will anyone stand up to this invasive technology and fight for their right to privacy?
Residents in hundreds of apartment blocks across the UK are waking up to a disturbing sight: digital billboards equipped with cameras that can track viewers' responses to ads. The invasive technology, supplied by 30Seconds Group, is being installed in communal areas, leaving many feeling like they're living in a surveillance state.
Under the guise of providing "occupant engagement" data, these devices are tracking residents as they wait for lifts or move around their homes. Potential advertisers are convinced that this advanced targeting will make their ads more impactful and memorable. However, civil liberties campaigners like Jake Hurfurt from Big Brother Watch see it as a blatant invasion of privacy.
"It's creepy as hell," Hurfurt says. "Billboards equipped with demographic scanning tech have no place in people's homes. They're the height of surveillance capitalism."
One resident, Conor Nocher, echoes his sentiments. He pays £209 per month for his studio flat and is outraged to discover that part of this service charge is going towards a device that shows him unwanted ads. The presence of cameras in these devices has also raised concerns about being "spied on".
Despite assurances from property companies like Places for People that the cameras are not operational, many residents remain skeptical. With some 1,000 buildings slated to receive these digital noticeboards by the end of the year, it's clear that this invasive technology is here to stay – at least for now.
As one resident notes, "In other buildings, residents are being tracked with the device, because the boss of 30Seconds Group says they are." It seems that the company has no qualms about exploiting its customers as a means to collect valuable data. The question remains: will anyone stand up to this invasive technology and fight for their right to privacy?
these digital billboards are so annoying! I mean, I get it, advertisers wanna know what we're interested in, but can't they just use social media like everyone else? 
And what's with the cameras? It's like they're watching us 24/7 
. I don't think it's cool that our apartment fees are paying for this invasive tech either 
. Property companies gotta step up and tell their residents if these devices are really on or off, 'cause a lot of people are freaked out about it 
. Maybe we should start a petition or something? 
.
But seriously, it's a huge invasion of privacy and I'm so done with this "surveillance capitalism" stuff 
property companies r making a killing off this invasive tech and no one's doing anything about it. ppl need 2 wake up & demand better privacy laws 
30Seconds Group should just call it "Big Brother's Flatmate" lol. seriously though, who gives permission for this kind of tracking? £209 a month is already steep enough without being spied on 
. We need some real action from our government and property companies to put a stop to this surveillance state nonsense 
. And £209 a month for this "service charge"? Are you kidding me?! That's just great, because now I'm not only paying rent but also having my personal life monitored by some faceless corporation 
. It's not like we asked for this, but somehow it's all being pushed onto us as if we're just sitting ducks 
.
. These digital billboards are just the tip of the iceberg - next thing you know, they'll be tracking our every move online and off-line 
. Companies like 30Seconds Group are just trying to make a buck off their data, no regard for people's personal space or feelings. The fact that it's being done under the guise of "occupant engagement" is just laughable 
. But seriously, can't these residents just get some peace and quiet in their own homes? The service charge should be going towards amenities not invasive tech 