Your smart TV is programmed to spy on you. Not only is it trying to sell products to you; you are the product it is trying to sell to advertisers–or worse. Smart TVs come equipped with microphones and cameras. These enable the convenient features buyers want. Facial recognition, video chats, Wifi connectivity, and personalization.
Smart TVs are always connected to the internet. Hackers can get into it through your internet connection and/or Wifi. Avast.io details how a hacked coffee maker held an entire household for ransom because it was connected to everything in the house.
Statement From the FBI
“Hackers can also take control of your unsecured TV. At the low end of the risk spectrum, they can change channels, play with the volume, and show your kids inappropriate videos. In a worst-case scenario, they can turn on your bedroom TV’s camera and microphone and silently cyberstalk you.”, cited CNN.
How Does My Smart TV Spy On Me?
Your smart TV spies on you in three ways. Users often consent to having their data collected and sold to advertisers without even knowing it.
- Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). Collects data about what you watch. Facial recognition features enable it to recommend shows to individuals.
- Smart TV Camera. The camera is part of the ACR system. It can also record all that is happening in the room.
- Smart TV Microphone. The microphone can retain and share records of conversations.
You can deactivate most of these spying features but you also lose most of the features that make the TV “smart”.
What Type Of Data Can My Smart TV Collect?
Smart TV manufacturers and streaming services collect data to “improve your viewing experience”. The information is collected in data banks and sold to or shared with advertisers to better target you with specific ads. The information is often sold to data…