According to their website, Internet Eyes pays users who successfully deter a crime, with their main focus being on shoplifting. On their main page, Internet Eyes points out that shoplifting is at its highest levels in the UK, and they claim to "combat this rise by detecting these crimes as they happen."
But how long do users have to sit and stare at their computers before spotting a crime? I've been in and out of stores my entire life, and I've only once spotted a kid stealing, and I even considered that to be pretty low odds. And even if you do witness someone shoplifting, what are the chances that you are actually going to successfully stop them from behind your computer monitor at home?
And then there is signing up, filling out forms, and registering to become a viewer on their website. I went through the process, but eventually decided it was in my best interest not to follow through and become a member. It wasn't the fact that they asked for personal information such as my address and telephone number, nor was it the fact that The United States wasn't available in their drop down list for "Country." Even after I discovered that they had a total of five different terms & conditions that I was supposed to read and agree to, I continued with my application.
It wasn't until after I filled out all of that information that they asked me to pay them for my subscription. Wait a minute - I thought I was the one who was supposed to be getting paid for this! I already had little doubt that I would never make a dollar off of this website, but now I am expected to pay this company in order to give them my services? So what is really going on here?
It is pretty obvious that there are people out there who would use this as an excuse to spy on unknowing strangers, but the fact that they require you to pay pretty much weeds out most of the genuine people who really want to help. I was going either way with this before - it seems to be violating privacy issues, but we already know that the cameras are watching us at these stores, plus it could be doing some good. To me, however, the simple fact that this website charges its users to look at strangers all day puts this in the category of inappropriate. For all I'm concerned, this idea should be squashed and we should leave the crime fighting up to the professionals.
Excellent point about their subscription model. I didn't know and it does change my view about Internet Eyes after having written my post. Seems to be more of a quick-cash business than an attempt to help communities lower crime.
ReplyDeleteYour other point about the odds brings up a good question to those interested in being a 'crime viewer'. Will their time invested ever pay off?
They say you stand a better chance at being killed driving to your local gas station to purchase a lottery ticket, than actually winning the lottery.
But a lot of people--unknowingly--are really just paying for the experience of "hoping to win" the lottery.
Similarly, the implicit attraction here may lie in observing other humans shop and invading their privacy. And sadly there's seems to be demand for it.
I agree with you, inappropriate business.
Nice point, Victor, that there may be a market of "crimefighters" (voyeurs?) who would be willing to pay for the chance to catch someone in the act. (Hmmm... seems like a new reality show idea to me.)
ReplyDeleteOf course, if shoplifting is at an all-time high in the UK as they say, then a simple trip to the grocery store and they might be able to witness the action in person.
Thanks to both Adam and Victor for getting the ball rolling.
Anthony
Just remember, it takes money to make money and at just under 4 dollars to try it for a month, I would say that it's worth the investment.
ReplyDeleteI used to work in retail and from my personal experience, shoplifting was a huge problem, among shoppers, employees, even managers. I have to believe that if you do your research, this business could be legitimate.
Its a little weird because its such a new concept, but I am definitely interested.
You raise an interesting point. It is slightly deceptive to conveniently leave out the part where you have to pay for the subscription. But like the post above, at under four dollars for a month,the money is tiny.
ReplyDeleteI have worked in retail a few times and know that stealing arises more often from within the company than from daily customers.
Although the chances of catching a perpetrator are slim, if the reward for your work is sufficient enough, this company might blossom. Who can blame them for trying?
Victor,
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that it is not worth spending all that time. As I’ve mentioned on my blog, if you divide the amount of time that you will spend by the money they pay you, your outcome is going to be LOW.
I think that here in the U.S you can find a better job that will pay you a minimum wage that will probably be more that what they will pay you to spot a crime. That’s IF you spot any! GOOG LUCK
WOW going through there subscription was an pretty good idea. Now that I know they charge to be an online crime fighting the idea seems more obsurd to me?..... Obviously only people who are somewhat obssed with watching peoples (very freaky) will sign up to this not only do they get to watch, but they also get paid if they stop a crime.
ReplyDeleteNow OK, does the time invested pay off? Probably not. But with so many people with out jobs and the termoil the global economy is going through I wouldnt be surprised if more people have been signing up to do this. Its better to spend hours and hours on the computer and earning something than sitting and worrying about paing the bills. Now a days thousands maybe millions of people try to find different kinds of jobs that will pay them something and the internet has many online jobs to offer.
I completly agree with your point that the crime fighting should be left to professionals. I believe this website too is unethical for the sense that they charge you to monitor their system. You dont make money for preventing a crime. You get 3 points for doing so, and then at the end of the month if you have the most points then you are rewarded 1000 lbs. for competing with others and spening more time then everyone else did. I think it would be money better spent to hire trained professionals to monitor an in-house security system.
ReplyDeleteI think it is completely absurd that "Internet Eyes" has the generous citizens helping catch criminals paying to do their good deed. This is a program that is helping the company with security and giving them free PR. It is almost like a crowd sourcing idea, with getting the public involved. They are also identifying a top source of crime in their country and firsthand doing what they can to eliminate some of it. I think the idea of having the average consumer doing surveillance is a pretty innovative idea but I don't think they should be charged.
ReplyDeleteYou've made an interesting point Adam. However, Miabanshee right, in this world most of the time it takes money to make money, you just have carefully plan if this investment is right for you and if can devote time towards this watching activity. Furthermore, after careful research regarding Internet Eyes it is said in multiple forums that this business is just a scheme, a fraud, a way to take money from decent people. I have Posted the link to various excellent points regarding Internet Eyes.
ReplyDeletehttp://p10.hostingprod.com/@spyblog.org.uk/blog/2009/10/10/is-the-internet-eyes-cctv-game-merely-incompetent-or-an-actual-scam.html