Stop your smart TV spying

[Eppie]

Handy little article on ZDNet that explains how to turn off Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) on most major brands. This is insidious stuff that can capture images from your screen at two frames per second and sells that information to marketers for targeted ads. It is usually on by default so you need to access the privacy settings and disable it.

Stop your smart TV's spying: How to turn off ACR on every TV model

 

[Trell]

I’ve disabled those already and the LG OLED is disconnected from internet now that I use Apple TV for streaming.

Some of the settings in the article for my TV are located elsewhere. The Content Recommendations toggle is in the General/AI Recommendation menu. The Advertisement menu is grayed out, likely because I’m living EU. No advertisement had ever been shown from LG on my TV.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Sooner or later, I'll have to replace my 12-year-old Panasonic TC-P55ST30 TV. The new one, whatever brand or make it is, will never be connected to my network.

 

[Trell]

Sooner or later, I'll have to replace my 12-year-old Panasonic TC-P55ST30 TV. The new one, whatever brand or make it is, will never be connected to my network.

Not even for firmware updates when you install the new TV?

There’s downloading and using USB, as you very well know.

 

[Teetertotter?]

Handy little article on ZDNet that explains how to turn off Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) on most major brands. This is insidious stuff that can capture images from your screen at two frames per second and sells that information to marketers for targeted ads. It is usually on by default so you need to access the privacy settings and disable it.

Stop your smart TV's spying: How to turn off ACR on every TV model

Thank you for the reminder and printed out for the TCL instructions

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Not even for firmware updates when you install the new TV?

There’s downloading and using USB, as you very well know.

Ok, I could always isolate it on the IOC (internet of crap) devices' network, heavily controlled by a firewall.

 

[little wing]

Handy little article on ZDNet that explains how to turn off Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) on most major brands. This is insidious stuff that can capture images from your screen at two frames per second and sells that information to marketers for targeted ads. It is usually on by default so you need to access the privacy settings and disable it.

Stop your smart TV's spying: How to turn off ACR on every TV model

Good post, thank you. When I got my Sony 950h a few years ago, I turned off all things google. And everything else "Smart" related. If somebody were to market a dumb TV (basically a monitor) with top picture quality, I would be all in. Using Arc and E ARC just invites trouble, IMO.

 

[privateeye]

Handy little article on ZDNet that explains how to turn off Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) on most major brands. This is insidious stuff that can capture images from your screen at two frames per second and sells that information to marketers for targeted ads. It is usually on by default so you need to access the privacy settings and disable it.

Stop your smart TV's spying: How to turn off ACR on every TV model

The easiest way is to simply never hook it up to the internet.

 

[Tankini]

Good post, thank you. When I got my Sony 950h a few years ago, I turned off all things google. And everything else "Smart" related. If somebody were to market a dumb TV (basically a monitor) with top picture quality, I would be all in. Using Arc and E ARC just invites trouble, IMO.

Only reason smart tv was put on the market was for Selling off consumers information. The mouse trap (Smart TV). consumers are wiser,>mostly. Streaming services was the trap to pull consumers in. Marketing realized all the free money they get from smart TV users. Same with smartphones. But with Everyone's data already out on the internet, social media platforms, Google services Apple, Samsung. ATT, Verizon T-Mobile all the lesser carriers prepaid. Banks, well They All do it.
@"little wing when you find one please share.

 

[Tankini]

The easiest way is to simply never hook it up to the internet.

True, use as a monitor only. Some manufacturers make you agree to certain content in order to continue using the TV with initial setup.

 

[Eppie]

Not so easy to do if you want to use the built in apps to access streaming services as I am sure many people do. Turning off ACR gives some protection, at least until the next firmware update comes out and they revise the service agreement again.

 

[little wing]

Only reason smart tv was put on the market was for Selling off consumers information. The mouse trap (Smart TV). consumers are wiser,>mostly. Streaming services was the trap to pull consumers in. Marketing realized all the free money they get from smart TV users. Same with smartphones. But with Everyone's data already out on the internet, social media platforms, Google services Apple, Samsung. ATT, Verizon T-Mobile all the lesser carriers prepaid. Banks, well They All do it.
@"little wing when you find one please share.

Completely agree. I know folks have their preferences for streaming devices, but for me the Roku Ultra is excellent. I love it. I'll definitely let you know if I run across a dumb TV, LOL. I'm not sure they exist though.

 

[little wing]

The easiest way is to simply never hook it up to the internet.

So true. Except for maybe a firmware update, that is not Google related, of course.

 

[Tankini]

Completely agree. I know folks have their preferences for streaming devices, but for me the Roku Ultra is excellent. I love it. I'll definitely let you know if I run across a dumb TV, LOL. I'm not sure they exist tho,ugh.

No such thing, dumb. Lol Only do! Roku sucks off the Media shack/'s, so users of Any streaming service, sucks off the shack like a baby suckling a tit. Lol