I love my smart TV. It’s my portal to the undeniable and wonderful convenience of on-demand streaming services, where I can sit and imbibe the best from the world of entertainment. But after a while, it dawned on me that, like most other computers, my smart TV might not always have my best interests at heart.
Smart TVs can and do collect data on you while you watch. It’s led some to say that their biggest surprise privacy leak was easily a smart TV — and that’s exactly why I’m taking steps to lock mine down.
It took me a while, but I finally noticed my smart TV spying on me
Your smart TV is hoovering up more data than you realize
I never really thought about whether my smart TV was collecting data. However, it’s safe to assume that if a device is connected to the internet, it is guilty until proven innocent. After all, data collection and sharing are a form of currency in modern commerce.
I have a top-brand TV with a smart remote control, and I use it with an Amazon Fire TV Stick. I also have a second-generation Google Chromecast in the bedroom. I quickly realized that when it comes to information gathering, I have a large target on my back, as Google’s and Amazon’s devices are notorious for collecting data. Still, I paid little attention to the TV itself. I have, however, noticed a shift in my smart TV’s behavior patterns, and a cryptic app appeared unannounced.
The app could have been malware, since it seemed to serve no purpose, and removing it didn’t affect anything. Another possible symptom of information collection and sharing was an unusual spike in data usage around three months ago. These occurrences prompted me to investigate how my TV could potentially spy on me.
Then there was the huge revelation that more than 200 million LG TVs reportedly collected data… even when the TV was turned off. According to Gamers Nexus, a huge number of LG TVs were found scanning local networks and gathering information on nearby devices, as well as capturing microphone audio, all while apparently in standby mode.
So, yeah. That’s enough trusting that the smart TV is working with me.
Your smart TV can spy on you in more ways than one
Collecting your data, straight from your living room
While TV manufacturers claim to chiefly use your data to improve their services, here are some ways in which your information can be extracted and used for various means or financial gain.
Collecting data based on your viewing habits
Many smart TVs use Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) to track your viewing habits. They can even use non-streaming protocols, such as HDMI, to send data back to the manufacturer or share it with advertisers. Your TV can also build a profile of your viewing habits to create targeted ads that align with your interests. Even if I might find these services helpful, I still see it as a breach of my privacy.
Monitoring your microphones and voice assistants
If your remote control has a microphone for voice commands, you risk your smart TV listening to and recording your speech. Specific keywords, or “wake words,” can trigger the device to record and share your spoken information with cloud servers for processing.
Tracking your apps
Your smart TV can track your app usage, including which apps you use, what content you watch on those apps, and when and how long you use them. While this information helps provide better recommendations or improve services, it can also be analyzed and used for monetization.
Monitoring your Wi-Fi network
Smart TVs are designed to work with other connected devices that share a Wi-Fi network, for example, for casting and file-sharing purposes. Your TV can build an inventory of connected devices around your home and log this data for sharing. It’s a good idea to properly secure your Wi-Fi network to safeguard your smart TV against spyware and other malicious programs, and to take steps to protect yourself against data gathering.
How to protect yourself against smart TV spying
It’s a good idea to be mindful of how you can protect yourself against smart TV data gathering. You may wish to use some or all of the following methods to prevent it.
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Tip |
Details |
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Disable ACR |
The first step in safeguarding your TV against data gathering is to disable Automatic Content Recognition in your TV’s settings menu. Look for Terms and Privacy, Privacy Settings, Viewing Data Collection, or a similar option. You should then be able to select the option to turn it off. |
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Disable voice recognition |
The same goes for voice recognition on your smart remote. If you don’t use it, simply turn it off. This will prevent it from listening in for wake words and potentially using your spoken information. |
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Check privacy policies |
It’s a good idea to opt out of data collection wherever you are given the option to do so. More often than not, you can remove yourself from harm’s way by simply reading the small print and checking (or unchecking) the appropriate boxes. |
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Don’t connect to the internet |
A smart TV is not “smart” if you never go online. However, if you primarily use external devices and you use your smart TV offline, then there’s no point in leaving yourself vulnerable to hackers and data collection. As extreme as this may sound, it is the only way to properly secure yourself from outside influences and data gathering. |
For many of us, data collection is not a significant inconvenience or a threat to our quality of life. For me, the issue is a moral one. I don’t mind my TV manufacturer or streaming service provider making helpful suggestions or using my data to improve the services I pay substantial amounts for each month. However, if my data is sold to third parties, I want to know when and why.
We have given up much of our privacy for the sake of online convenience. I’d prefer it if, at the very least, while I’m watching my favorite TV shows, my TV isn’t watching me back.