Here's How To Stop Your TV From Watching You

Tue, Mar 15, 2022 3:54 PM

It was no surprise that connected gadgets are prone to hacking. It was reported that millions of smart TVs were vulnerable last year, but what's startling is that the FBI is warning us about this smart TV data collection and reminding us to be aware of the TV manufacturers too.

Companies that create smart TVs have been increasingly exploiting that technology to promote additional things to us as smart TVs have become the norm over the last several years.

To be certain, exactly the sort of data collection smart TVs employ is probably not that much more intrusive than what most people encounter on the internet on a daily basis. However, if you'd want to keep your TV viewing private and avoid the tailored recommendations that come with software, here's how to disable data collecting on your smart TV.

Also, Read: Your Guide to Watching 4K HD in 2022

How to turn your smart TV's data collection

TVs with Amazon Fire TV Edition

Amazon, like Roku, integrates its Fire TV platform into a variety of TV brands, including other big brands. Unlike other TV brands, Amazon claims that it does not gather data using ACR technology.

It does, however, collect information from the streaming apps you use on its smart TV system. To disable this, click Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings.

Disable Collect App and Over-the-Air Usage Data, as well as Interest-based Ads, can be turned off from there. You'll still see advertisements on the platform, but they won't be customized to your viewing preferences.

Roku TVs from TCL and others

Roku TV is one of the most popular smart TV platforms, with models from the biggest brands.

Press the Home button on your remote, then Settings, to switch off Automatic Content Recognition. Click Smart TV Experience after scrolling down to Privacy. Roku TV won't be able to track your viewing through a TV antenna or other connected devices if you uncheck Use Information for TV Inputs, but they will still be able to see what you watch in Roku TV's apps.

You can opt out of personalized adverts on Roku's apps in the Advertising box of the Smart TV Experience section, but there's no guarantee that the data won't be gathered.

Also Read: How to Install and Configure AT&T TV on a Smart TV

Sony

The Android TV operating system is used by the majority of modern Sony smart TVs. There is no way to opt-out of this; in order to use an Android TV, you must agree to Google's privacy policies.

However, you can opt-out of Sony's Bravia policy and the related Samba TV ACR technology. Go to Home > Settings > About > Legal Information > Privacy Policy to turn them off.

To find the particular options for Sony Smart TV Services, Program Recommendations, Product Improvements, Advertisements, and Samba TV, you'll have to go through the whole privacy policy.

In 2019 models, you may also disable Samba TV by going to Settings > System Preferences.

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LG

The primary data collection feature on older LG smart TVs is named LivePlus, and it's easy to disable. Go to All Settings > General > LivePlus on your remote by pressing the Settings button. You should be able to turn it off here.

In 2018 and 2019 sets, go to Settings > All Settings > General > About This TV > User Agreements to opt-out of the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Viewing Information, Voice Information, Interest-Based Advertisement, and Live Plus User Agreements individually.

Samsung

Select Settings > Support > Terms & Policies from the Home menu. Toggle the Viewing Information Services and Interest-Based Advertising options off. On certain older Samsung smart TVs, this may also appear as SyncPlus and Marketing.

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