Do you ever get the feeling your Smart TV is watching you as much as you’re watching it? If so, you’re not paranoid. In fact, you’re probably right. Smart TVs are using internet connectivity to gather all sorts of data–from the shows you watch to how you use the apps on your phone. There’s a spy in our living rooms.
Courts Say No to Vizio
In 2015, it was revealed that Vizio Smart TVs had been tracking viewers around the clock without their consent. The company collected data on the viewing habits of 11 million unsuspecting viewers, transmitted it to company-controlled servers, and sold the information to third parties. How did this happen? Vizio used a smart interactivity feature that was promoted as a helpful way to guide viewing. This feature used automated content recognition software to track not just tv viewing, but also personal information such as age, sex, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and home values.
The US government decided this was not okay and Vizio was charged with privacy invasion. Last year, the company was ordered to delete customer data and pay out $2.2 million in a class-action lawsuit. Last week, the consumer electronics giant said they plan to alert customers that they will be receiving funds by sending a message to display on their Smart TVs. Does this maneuver remind anyone else of The Simpsons when Homer used an auto dialer to apologize for using an auto dialer as part of his Happy Dude scam?
Look & Listen
Vizio isn’t the only company with a reputation for using its Smart TVs to track customers. There are others listening, watching and tracking us. In 2013, a UK blogger said LG’s Smart TVs were tracking viewing habits. LG has also been caught collecting potentially sensitive data, including the names of files shared on connected home or office networks. Samsung TVs listen to us with their voice recognition feature. Even more disturbing, these data collectors often have spotty security. That means your raw, unencrypted data could be widely available.
Caveat Emptor
The Samba TV app (standard on tvs made by Sony and other major manufacturers) presents itself as the innocuous gadget available to help viewers curate a list of things to watch. When you click “accept” or “I agree”, you’re agreeing to share your data. Samba not only collects your tv viewing habits, it also spies on devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. So what you’re doing on other apps becomes part of the information Samba can gather for marketing purposes.
Many companies say the consumer is responsible for reading extended privacy policies. But in lieu of the long and boring legalese, a summary that puts a positive spin on the invasion of privacy is often provided: Spoken words, viewing habits and the like are captured to evaluate and provide the customer with improved features. Dig a little deeper and the language may reveal that data, including personal info, may be captured and transmitted to a third party.
Stop the Spying
Whether it’s the company that made your tv, a third party that bought the data or the government, nobody wants to surrender their information without consent. In an effort to keep your private business to yourself, try reigning in your Smart TV.
- don’t connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- disable spying features or turn off smart interactivity
- use a streaming tv player like Apple TV or Google Chormecast as alternatives
TV That’s Good for You
Key West Video is all about the good side of tv. More specifically, we create the kind of content that entertains and informs. If you’re looking for a direct line to your customers, give video a try. Call us today for a free quote.
