Who’s watching who?

THE FRIDAY THING: HERE’S a scary thought. When you settle down on the sofa and turn on the telly are you sure it’s you watching telly and not telly watching you?

Many of the latest sets have microphones so you can control the set with your voice. But the set can also record your best or worst thoughts and transmit them to third parties.

TV companies have even gone as far as to suggest that viewers should avoid discussing personal matters (such as pass the wine, peanuts or crisps).

Emma Carr, the director of civil rights group Big Brother Watch says not everyone wants to be spied on by their TV. It also means, of course, that not only can you talk to your TV but your TV can talk to you. If that’s not spooky I don’t know what is.



PERHAPS the most worrying story of the week (no knots and tools or 50 shades of grey) is that our defence experts say that we can no longer afford to defend our nation. This at a time the world has become a more dangerous place.

There is the increasing violence in the Middle East, cyber attacks, endemic diseases and lone-wolf terrorism, all of which could lead to major catastrophes. We need properly funded and equipped armed forces. Now.

Indeed, the next Government must ensure we have properly-resourced diplomatic development and defence activities - because it is the first duty of government to defend the security and safety of its citizens.