Your Smart TV May Be Watching You: How to Turn Off Data Collection Features
Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs have a feature called ACR that tracks what you watch. Here is how to disable it and protect your family's privacy.
Source
ZDNet Security
Original headline: How to disable ACR on your TV (and why it makes such a big difference when you do)
Plain-English summary by GetCyberRight. Read the full report at the source above.
Many modern smart TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony include a feature called ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) that poses data privacy risks. ACR technology tracks what you watch on your TV, including shows, movies, and even content from streaming devices. This data is collected and can be used for advertising purposes.
The good news is you can turn this feature off. If your family owns a Samsung, LG, or Sony smart TV, your viewing habits may be tracked without you realizing it. ACR monitors everything displayed on your screen, not just content from built-in TV apps.
Stay one step ahead of scammers
Weekly cybersecurity briefings for families. No spam, just the threats that matter and what to do about them.
This means it can see what you watch on Netflix, gaming consoles, cable boxes, and other connected devices. The data collected includes what programs you watch and for how long.
To protect your privacy, disable ACR on your TV right now:
- For Samsung TVs: Go to Settings, then Privacy, then look for "Viewing Information Services" and turn it off.
- For LG TVs: Go to Settings, then All Settings, then General, then LivePlus, and turn off "Live Plus."
- For Sony TVs: Go to Settings, then Privacy Settings, and disable "Samba TV" or similar content recognition features.
- Check your TV manual or search online for your specific model if these steps do not match your menu options. Make it a habit to review privacy settings whenever you buy a new smart device. Many products come with data collection turned on by default. Take time to go through settings menus and disable features you do not need. Teach your family members, especially teens who might set up new devices, to always check privacy options first. Your viewing habits are personal, and you have the right to keep them private.
Curated from trusted cybersecurity sources by GetCyberRight
Source: ZDNet SecurityStay ahead of cyber threats
Get our free weekly digest. Real threats, plain language, what to do about them. No spam, ever.
More articles
How to disable ACR on your TV (and why it makes such a big difference when you do)
Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs can pose data privacy risks - here's how to avoid one of the biggest.
1 min read
Government and Critical Infrastructure Systems Targeted in Southeast Asia
A hacking group linked to China compromised at least 10 organizations in Southeast Asia, including two government-owned entities.
2 min readForeign Hackers Target Critical Infrastructure in Southeast Asia. What It Means for Safety.
A hacking group linked to China compromised at least 10 organizations in Southeast Asia, including state owned entities that manage critical systems affecting public services.
2 min read
New AI Browser Attack: How Hackers Disguise Data Theft as Fiction
Security researchers have found a way to trick AI-powered browsers into stealing your data by making them think it's a game. Here's what families need to know.
4 min read