Inscape Data Services

Inscape is a provider of ACR services to Smart TV OEMs.[1] The company was founded in 2009 as TV Interactive Systems later renamed Cognitive Media Networks Inc. On August 10, 2015, Vizio acquired Cognitive Media Networks and renamed it Inscape. On July 2016 Vizio announced Inscape will spin off and operate as a separate, privately owned company.

Inscape Data Services
TypePrivately owned
IndustryAutomatic content recognition
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Key people
Zeev Neumeier
Michael Collette
Brian Reed
ParentVizio
Websiteinscape.tv

History

Inscape was founded in 2009 by Zeev Neumeier as TV Interactive Systems.[2][3] In 2012 the company raised $2.5 million in funding from Rogers Venture Partners, rebranded as Cognitive Networks, and hired Michael Collette as its CEO.[4] On Aug. 28, 2013 LG announced its LivePlus interactive service powered by Cognitive Network ACR.[5] LG subsequently partnered with Showtime Network to launch in-program interactivity using Cognitive Network ACR.[6] On August 10, 2015, Vizio acquired Cognitive Networks and renamed it Inscape[7] On July 2016 Vizio announced Inscape will spin off and operate as a separate, privately owned company with past Vizio CEO William Wang as new CEO.[8]

On November 9, 2015, privacy advocate Julia Angwin exposed the Inscape technology within Vizio televisions in an investigative piece for Pro Publica.[9]

Technology journals like Ars Technica investigated the matter and found that not only was Vizio observing its customers viewing behavior, it was quite easy for its software to be hacked and observed by third parties. Shortly after these reports, both Vizio and its subsidiary Inscape Data Services were named in numerous class action lawsuits for violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act.

References
  1. "Cognitive Networks Detects What You're On Your Smart TV". techcrunch. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  2. "TV Interactive Systems". crunchbase. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  3. "Company Overview of Cognitive Networks, Inc". Bloomberg. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  4. "TV Interactive Systems Relaunches as Cognitive Networks; Interactive Veteran Michael Collette to Helm Venture". prweb. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  5. "LG partners with Cognitive Networks to make Smart TVs smarter and more interactive". engadget. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  6. "LG and Showtime join forces to help you contextualize 'Dexter,' 'Ray Donovan'". engadget. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  7. "Cognitive Networks - Portfolio - DCM".
  8. "Vizio Being Sold To LeEco". 26 July 2016.
  9. "Own a Vizio Smart TV? It's Watching You". 9 November 2015.
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