Verizon has applied for a patent that would bring Orwellian fears to reality and allow TV set-top boxes to see and hear you as you watch TV.

Information gathered by observing viewers would be used to tailor which ads are most effective and the responses that they cause with the viewer.

The box could also communicate with smartphones and tablets in use by viewers, monitoring websites, and emails as well.

The patent filing has yet to be approved.

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