Is your TV secretly listening to your conversations? A serious threat to privacy
Smart Gadget Privacy: A shocking warning has emerged for Smart TV users. Following a recent report, the question has arisen: Is your Smart TV recording your private conversations? Police have also issued an alert, stating that if these features are misused, your personal information could be seriously compromised. Therefore, it's important to understand how this technology works and, more importantly, how to turn it off.
Features in smart TV can also listen to your private conversations
Many major companies provide microphones, voice assistants, and tracking features in their Smart TVs. The companies claim that these features are intended to recognize your voice and recommend content. However, experts say these features can also listen to the home environment and your private conversations, posing a serious threat to privacy.
Microphones can also record background noise
If your TV has a voice assistant, voice commands, or an always-on microphone, the answer is "yes." These microphones not only activate when you say commands like "OK TV" or "Hello," but can also record background noise.
Many companies send these audio clips to their servers
Many companies send these audio clips to their servers, claiming this improves voice recognition technology.
TV can collect data
Not only this, the TV can collect data such as your viewing history, channels, app usage, location, IP address, and even device ID, which can then be sold to advertising companies and data brokers.
ACR Technology
ACR, or Automatic Content Recognition, is a feature that experts consider the most dangerous in Smart TVs. It scans everything playing on your screen, whether you're watching OTT, YouTube, or cable TV. ACR recognizes each frame, matches it to the company's database, and also captures your TV's IP address and location data. This is why companies can track what you watch, when, and where. In light of this threat, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has also advised people to review their privacy settings.
How to avoid voice recording?
Turn off the voice control and voice assistant features on your TV.
Turn off the ACR and personalization features.
Disconnect your TV from Wi-Fi after watching.
Physically cover the camera and microphone.
Privacy is a precious commodity today, and in this age of smart gadgets, it's crucial to be vigilant.