Mastodawn

Dan Goodin Apr 29, 2024

Looks like the anti-smartTV alarmism is out in full force today on the feditubes. A reminder: connecting a smartTV to the Internet is perfectly safe as long as you take 2 minutes to follow common sense guidance:

https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036/

SmartTVs don't collect anymore data than Microsoft Windows, Google, Facebook, Twitter or even your credit card company.

Don't be fooled by the people trying to shame or scare you. And definitely don't get tricked into the magical thinking that streaming with a Roku is somehow safer than with a TV. It's not.

How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features

TVs collect a huge amount of data. Here's how to use privacy settings to limit the surveillance on TVs from LG, Samsung, TCL, and every other big brand.

Consumer Reports

Guillaume Rossolini

@dangoodin yes but to be fair, some manufacturers are trying to sneak in a camera and other sensors. That’s a little overkill.

Dan Goodin Apr 29, 2024

@GuillaumeRossolini

Yes, but can't the same be said of tablets and phones? And again, as long as you follow the guidance to turn that crap off, you should be fine.

Krupo Apr 29, 2024

@dangoodin @GuillaumeRossolini but the TV feels much more literally Orwellian in its fixed position, whereas handheld mobiles can go in a pocket or drawer.

Edit: also the creepy inserting of ads I saw on a vacation rental property's smart TV gave me the creeps.

Guillaume Rossolini Apr 29, 2024

@dangoodin yeah sure, or be aware of the practice and choose a different model that doesn’t have these sensors at all

RalfMaximus Apr 29, 2024

@dangoodin @GuillaumeRossolini

Tablets & phones are personal devices that people *generally* understand to carry some risk. Only children and the extremely naïve don't perform basic infosec.

A TV is different. It's an appliance, and older people assume it's a passive display like their old Magnavox but bigger & prettier. They don't think of it as a computer.

IMHO we need *more* paranoia about smart TVs, not less. It's not fear mongering if the risk is real.

Dan Goodin Apr 29, 2024

@ralfmaximus @GuillaumeRossolini

There's no more risk than smartphones, tablets, computers and many other devices, or Facebook, Github, Google, Twitter or your credit card issuer. You should have as much paranoia related to these things as you do smartTVs.

RalfMaximus Apr 29, 2024

@dangoodin @GuillaumeRossolini

Oh I absolutely do.

Dan Goodin Apr 29, 2024

@ralfmaximus @GuillaumeRossolini

OK, then we all agree that it's silly to single out smartTVs when they pose no more risk than other devices and services we use on an hourly basis. I'm glad we got that sorted out.

@dangoodin @ralfmaximus @GuillaumeRossolini This feels like whataboutism.

"TVs shouldn't collect so much data."

"What about your smartphone, tablet, etc?"

I tend to agree that none of them should collect that much data, but we're talking about TVs right now, not the other things

Dan Goodin Apr 29, 2024

@godmaire @ralfmaximus

No, we're talking about how silly it is to say "Don't connect your smartTV to the Internet" when you connect equally dangerous things to the Internet on an hourly basis. That's what this discussion is about.

RalfMaximus Apr 29, 2024

You're putting words in my mouth. "We're" not saying that, you are.

My point is that a TV is perceived differently by most consumers, who do not categorize it as "the same risk" as other devices. It's a perception problem. That's why IOT is so dangerous: people misunderstand that there are computers in there.

Dan Goodin Apr 29, 2024

@ralfmaximus @godmaire

I'm pretty sure most consumers are equally in the dark about the security and privacy risks of phones and other devices.

@dangoodin @ralfmaximus Whataboutism might be the wrong term. "Why bother-ism" might be a better one. Why bother with making smart TVs safer when phones exist? That's not good. Fighting back even a little is better than just giving up

Guillaume Rossolini Apr 29, 2024

@godmaire @dangoodin @ralfmaximus
No, there were some fair points above

TVs aren't seen as active listening/recording devices by the general public yet;
the precautions you (should) take with your phone, can also apply to the TV

Guillaume Rossolini Apr 29, 2024

@godmaire @dangoodin @ralfmaximus

Incidentally, I was reading about this earlier today

https://digital-markets-act-cases.ec.europa.eu/reports/compliance-reports

I didn’t know that the EU had this gatekeeper label but I’m glad for it, especially since they impose transparency and it’s working

(There’s also a big platform label for the biggest websites by traffic, with imposed transparency also)

Anyway all this to say: these transparency laws don’t apply to Samsung, LG or other tv manufacturers, yet. Make of this what you will.

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