Are you happy with the snooping?

Samsung LED TV

Voice activation - do you know how it works? Well you should - it might surprise you!

The idea is that you can now use voice commands to change channels on your TV. Which sounds great.

But most people think that the voice recognition stuff is done within the telly itself.

Not so.

Your voice commands are fed back over the Internet to the supplier's computer systems. That's where your words are translated into commands and fed back to the TV.

And do you think the system is smart enough to isolate TV commands, and not transmit your general chatter? Hopefully you're not that gullible.

Cortana on a Windows phone

And do you think this technology is limited to your smart new TV? Wrong again. All these voice-activated searches (Siri on your iPhone, Cortana on Windows & Hey! Google on Android) all work the same way.

So, let us take stock. Everything you (or your family) say within range of these devices is being fed back to computer systems well outside UK (or even European) jurisdiction. There they are being turned into data, analysed and exploited without let or hindrance (mostly because you didn't read the Terms & Conditions before agreeing to them), by huge faceless foreign corporations. And don't think this is accidental. Unlimited access to your personal data is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So don't be surprised when they start to monetize this goldmine.

So, what are potential repercussions? You're discussing a new conservatory with the missus & the phone rings - "hi SuperDooper Glazing here: can we tell you about our offers on conservatories?". You have a row, and Relate are on the phone. You shout at the kids, and the Child Welfare people are banging on the door. You mouth off about giving the Prime Minister a good kicking, and Special Branch are ringing the house with an Armed Response Unit (don't think MI5 isn't evesdropping!!).

Your information is probably the most valuable stuff you own, and you have just given it all away for free - even the most personal and intimate bits - just because you're too lazy to reach for the remote control. Some might argue that you deserve everything you get for being so indolent. I'd be more inclined to think that the public aren't making informed choices, because the questions they need to ask are not obvious, a bit techie, and well hidden.

Big Brother is, indeed, watching you. Just 30 years later than predicted.