The researchers have discovered that automatic content recognition (ACR) tracking is active most of the time, even when TVs are used as “dumb” HDMI devices. In other words, the TV manufacturers are monitoring your private moments as well. There’s apparently no monitoring of streaming content in the UK, but there is in the US.

The only good news is that these TVs can seemingly be configured to disable ACR, provided the owners know this activity is taking place and are able to find the right settings. (I recently looked at the configuration of our TVs again, and understanding the various settings was far from easy.)

    • pimeys@lemmy.nauk.io
      49·
      2 months ago

      If it is a Samsung tv, they have been automatically connecting to any open wifi, maybe your neighbor has one. And there goes the data.

      Avoid Samsung.

          • felsiq@lemmy.zip
            13·
            2 months ago

            Samsung in particular has “smart” monitors, so for some of them the answer is unironically yes

            • dai@lemmy.world
              21·
              2 months ago

              Dear god, I do vaguely remember their launch (not my portfolio while working in PC component procurement) but had completely pushed that from my head.

              Looks like LG have the same thing going on too, what a waste of silicon.

          • lemmeBe@sh.itjust.works
            2·
            2 months ago

            After investigation, it turned out that it only has ethernet adapter (that’s not in use), but no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Also, as a sidenote, if Max Power Saving is on, ethernet adapter is disabled.

            We’re talking about this monitor, bought 2 years ago: Samsung S34A650UXU - S65UA Series - LED monitor - curved - 34", LS34A650UXUXEN

        • Feyd@programming.dev
          2·
          2 months ago

          Sort of alarming how many upvotes this has without anybody providing any reference at all. We have enough privacy problems to worry about without people posting unsubstantiated claims :/