Nowadays, we live in an era where the digital world and gadgets have become an integral part of our daily lives. Mobile phones, the internet, smart devices and social media have provided us with a new world of convenience, but along with these conveniences, many disturbing issues regarding privacy have also arisen.
Did you know that your smart TV not only shows dramas, movies and news but can also monitor your daily life?
Yes, this is a fact that most people ignore. Modern smart TV brands have added features in the name of convenience, including voice commands, microphones, internet access, cameras and trackers. These features supposedly improve your experience, but in reality, they collect information about you and send it to companies. These can include your browser usage, email address, location, payment details, device ID and even what programs you watch.
Using the browser: a simple but dangerous trap
Have you ever opened the internet browser on your smart TV? It feels great to see everything on the big screen? But the truth is that this browser is an ‘open door’ for cybercriminals. No antivirus, no VPN, no security features that your mobile or computer have. The result? Anyone can monitor your online activity, be it social media accounts or online banking.
Now think about it, how safe do you think it is when you use the browser on your smart TV?
Not only that, streaming platforms used with smart TVs such as Netflix, Apple TV, Roku or Google TV also collect your information. Interestingly, even if you are not signed in to them, they can collect information about your favourite channels and apps. Companies claim that all this is just to improve the content you want, but the truth is that your personal information is used for advertising purposes.
Usually, TVs do not have antivirus software, VPN, or the same security measures that your computer or mobile has. This is the opportunity that cyber attackers use and monitor your internet traffic. If you absolutely have to browse on your TV, it is better to install a VPN. It encrypts your internet so that no one can track your online activity.
ACR technology: everything you watch is reported
Another important thing is ACR, which stands for Automatic Content Recognition. This technology is present in almost every smart TV and it analyses the pixels of your screen every second to find out what you are watching. This data is then sent to companies and advertising agencies to bring you the ads that are most relevant to your interests.
It may not seem harmful, but it is actually a clear violation of your privacy. Fortunately, you can also turn this feature off. This option will be found in different places on TVs from different companies, for example, in Samsung you have to uncheck ‘Viewing Information Services’, in some sets you have to turn on ‘Limit Ad Tracking’, while in LG and Sony you have to turn off the relevant features.
Google records your activities as soon as you sign in to Android or Google TV. Although it is not possible to stop it completely, you can limit tracking by resetting the advertising ID.
Listening microphone and watching camera
Now we come to the most delicate issue, namely the camera and microphone. Modern TVs also have voice control and a camera. The microphone often remains active even after the TV is turned off so that it can listen to your commands. But this same microphone can sometimes hear things that you do not want.
According to a BBC report, the FBI has also warned of these risks and said that hackers can take control of unsecured smart TVs. They can change channels, increase or decrease the volume and even show inappropriate content to children. In the worst case, they can also spy on you through the TV’s camera and microphone.
The FBI says that when buying a new smart TV, it is important to understand its features, especially how to control the camera and microphone. Keep changing passwords, turn off unnecessary features and if the camera is not turned off, put black tape on it. Also, keep an eye on the security updates issued by the company.
