Your Smart TV May Be Secretly Sharing Your Viewing Habits
TV owners beware: your smart TV may be secretly sharing your viewing habits with manufacturers. Data-sharing features come enabled by default, making it easy for companies to collect and sell your information.
TV brands employ Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) to capture snippets of video and audio. Sony labels it 'Samba Interactive TV', LG calls it 'Live Plus', TCL names it 'Smart TV Experience', and Samsung uses 'Viewing Information Services'.
To stop this data transmission, users must actively opt out and navigate through various settings menus. The 'data sharing off' switch can be hidden under privacy, apps, or system sub-menus. Additionally, turning off CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) settings under options like 'CEC Standby' can prevent connected devices from interacting with the TV.
ACR data is primarily used for viewer ratings and personalized ads. However, there are concerns about potential misuse. Modern smart TVs record everything watched, including over-the-air programs, live programming, streaming, and even video games. Set-top streaming devices like Roku Ultra 4K or Apple TV 4K may also have these features and need to be turned off.
To protect your viewing data, ensure you've disabled data-sharing features on your smart TV and any connected devices. Be aware that these settings are often buried and require manual opt-out. Always check your TV's manual or contact customer support for specific instructions.
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