Your TV May Be Tracking What You Watch and Listen to: A Growing Concern

As we spend more time in front of our televisions, it's becoming increasingly clear that they are not just passive entertainment devices. Many newer models contain technology that captures information about what you watch, including broadcast internet video and DVDs, and sends this data to outside companies for analysis. This process happens without your knowledge or consent, with the permissions buried deep in lengthy policies that you must agree to before watching your favorite shows.

Samsung's SmartHub privacy policy is a prime example of this. Measuring 47 screens long, it's an exhaustive document that outlines what information is being collected and how it will be used. Similarly, LG's legal e runs to over 6,000 words, providing an even more comprehensive look at the company's data collection practices. While manufacturers may claim that these policies are necessary for users to access their content, critics argue that they can be overwhelming and intimidating.

One recent example of how this technology is being used to market to viewers is the case of underwear ads during the Super Bowl on Samsung TVs. After watching an ad, some viewers reported seeing a popup interactive ad for underwear. Another TV maker, LG, has partnered with Showtime to enable similar interactive content based on shows that users are watching in real-time. If you watch a lot of sports, your TV may one day show ads for sporting goods or tickets to games.

While this technology is still in its early stages, it's clear that companies like Samsung and LG are using this data to their advantage. Current privacy policies for these manufacturers give them broad latitude in collecting information about users, which has raised concerns among privacy experts. Mark Rodenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, notes that proper regulatory oversight is necessary to ensure that companies can innovate while still respecting consumers' rights to privacy.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your own privacy on your TV. Many manufacturers offer settings that allow users to turn off marketing features, which may involve waiting through menus or adjusting settings in a way that requires some technical expertise. Additionally, voice recognition commands on some TV models can be heard via the television set or remote control, allowing users to make simple requests like changing volume levels or asking for show recommendations.

However, this technology raises important questions about the implications of collecting and analyzing user data without their consent. Some privacy experts worry that smart TVs are not being adequately governed, which could lead to further erosion of consumers' rights. In response to these concerns, Rodenberg emphasizes the importance of proper regulatory oversight, which would allow companies to innovate while still respecting users' right to privacy.

If you want to learn more about TV privacy settings and how to protect yourself from data collection, check out this article on consumerreports.org. By taking steps to control your own data, you can avoid being cataloged as a viewer or having your living room conversations listened to by third-party companies. While it may require some effort, there are many ways to safeguard your privacy in the digital age of smart TVs.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enyour TV may be tracking what you watch and listening to what you say and sharing that information with strangers let's start with what you watch newer Samsung Vio and LG models contain technology that grabs information about everything you tune into Broadcast internet video even DVDs and sends them to outside companies for analysis and whether or not you know it you signed off on it the permissions are buried in massive policies you have to to agree to before you can start watching your favorite shows how massive Samsung's smarthub privacy policy is 47 screens long LG's legal e runs to more than 6,000 words but the manufacturers let you click agree without waiting into all that text you can say yes with a simple click companies want to use this information to Market to you much like websites do one recent example people who watched an underwear ad during the Super Bowl on their Samsung TV then saw an interactive ad for underwear popup another TV maker LG has a deal with Showtime that enables popup interactive content based on shows you are watching in the future if you watch a lot of sports your TV one day might show ads for sporting goods or tickets to games for now this technology is in the early days LG for instance said it is not currently using the technology to customize ads Samsung and Vio did not comment when asked to respond however current privacy policies for LG Samsung and Vio give them broad latitude in the information they collect the good news is that you can turn off these marketing features though it takes waiting through your sets menus something else to consider voice recognition commands on some TV models can be heard via the television set or remote control you can make simple requests such as volume 20 which your TV set processes or in some cases you can even ask for show recommendations that kind of request is is generally handled and processed remotely by a third-party company some privacy experts worry about the implications of such smart technology without more governance Mark rodenberg is president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center he says with proper regulatory oversight companies can innovate and consumers can have privacy as with the marketing features you can also turn this feature off in the menu settings if you take these steps you might lose out on offers of extra content related to shows you're watching as well as the new whizbang voice command features on your TV but you'll know no one is cataloging your viewing habits or listening to your living room conversations for more information on TV privacy settings check out this article on consumerreports.orgyour TV may be tracking what you watch and listening to what you say and sharing that information with strangers let's start with what you watch newer Samsung Vio and LG models contain technology that grabs information about everything you tune into Broadcast internet video even DVDs and sends them to outside companies for analysis and whether or not you know it you signed off on it the permissions are buried in massive policies you have to to agree to before you can start watching your favorite shows how massive Samsung's smarthub privacy policy is 47 screens long LG's legal e runs to more than 6,000 words but the manufacturers let you click agree without waiting into all that text you can say yes with a simple click companies want to use this information to Market to you much like websites do one recent example people who watched an underwear ad during the Super Bowl on their Samsung TV then saw an interactive ad for underwear popup another TV maker LG has a deal with Showtime that enables popup interactive content based on shows you are watching in the future if you watch a lot of sports your TV one day might show ads for sporting goods or tickets to games for now this technology is in the early days LG for instance said it is not currently using the technology to customize ads Samsung and Vio did not comment when asked to respond however current privacy policies for LG Samsung and Vio give them broad latitude in the information they collect the good news is that you can turn off these marketing features though it takes waiting through your sets menus something else to consider voice recognition commands on some TV models can be heard via the television set or remote control you can make simple requests such as volume 20 which your TV set processes or in some cases you can even ask for show recommendations that kind of request is is generally handled and processed remotely by a third-party company some privacy experts worry about the implications of such smart technology without more governance Mark rodenberg is president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center he says with proper regulatory oversight companies can innovate and consumers can have privacy as with the marketing features you can also turn this feature off in the menu settings if you take these steps you might lose out on offers of extra content related to shows you're watching as well as the new whizbang voice command features on your TV but you'll know no one is cataloging your viewing habits or listening to your living room conversations for more information on TV privacy settings check out this article on consumerreports.org\n"