Dan GoodinApr 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
Show threadGuillaume RossoliniApr 29, 2024
@dangoodin yes but to be fair, some manufacturers are trying to sneak in a camera and other sensors. That’s a little overkill.
Show threadDan GoodinApr 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.

Show threadRalfMaximusApr 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.

Show threadDan GoodinApr 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.

Show threadRalfMaximusApr 29, 2024

@dangoodin @GuillaumeRossolini

Oh I absolutely do.

Show threadDan Goodin

@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.

Apr 29, 2024 at 5:05pmWeb