It’s the social network which has made billions by gathering huge amounts of information about its users and selling this data to advertisers.

Now a patent has emerged which shows Facebook is developing a robot capable of spying on people in their own homes.

It has been granted a patent for a ‘self-balancing robot’ fitted with cameras and microphones.


Zuckerberg’s surveillance-bot can speed along on three wheels before standing aloft on two wheels.

Experts said it would probably be very expensive and is likely to be used as a corporate ‘telepresence robot’, which is the name for machines used to interact with humans.

Would you let this monstrous machine into your home?

A close-up of the Zuckerbot’s camera-fitted head

It would be a very creepy machine to invite into your home, because it can shoot film and record sound.



The design of the machine is undoubtedly impressive, but the implications are terrifying because Facebook appears to be dead set on carrying out the sort of home surveillance familiar to readers of George Orwell’s 1984.

It is rumoured to be working on its gadget that’s been compared to a telescreen, a fictional device which the oppressive rulers of Oceania used to closely monitor and repress citizens.

Zuckerberg’s first ever piece of consumer hardware will be called Portal and cost $499 (£368).

The device will feature a 15inch screen, microphones and a wide-angle camera with facial recognition.

It’s not known when Facebook plans to unleash its robot

The gadget has been designed by a shadowy Facebook department called Building 8 that’s also working on mind-reading technology.

And if you think that sounds scary, wait until you hear rumours that the billionaire founder of Facebook is planning to run for President.

If Zuckerberg was to run for office and use Facebook to promote the campaign, he’d be able to manipulate voters so effectively that he’d be almost unbeatable.

Big Zucker is watching.

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