“Smart” TVs Aren't So Smart About Your Privacy

As everyday consumer appliances and devices like televisions are increasingly connected to the internet, concerns about privacy and security are mounting. Adding to growing consumer anxiety about the implications of bringing internet-connected appliances into our homes, on February 7th Consumer Reports reported that certain TV models sold by Samsung and TCL are vulnerable to hackers.  The assessment, conducted in collaboration with Ranking Digital Rights (RDR) and Disconnect—a company that makes digital tools for preventing privacy invasions—revealed that security vulnerabilities in two of the five TV brands tested, Samsung and TCL, could allow a hacker to remotely take control of the TV. Researchers also found that all “smart” or internet-connected TVs examined collect large amounts of information, which they send back to the TV manufacturers, software providers, and  various third parties that deliver content, process payments and warranty claims, and provide marketing services. And yet, users do not always have the ability to control or minimize such data collection without losing the features of their TV that make them “smart” in the first place, and that enable streaming or searching for content on various apps such as Netflix and YouTube.