Every TV is tracking you

All smart TV manufacturers collect data on what you watch, when you watch it, and how you watch it. They sell this information to advertisers and partners to make up for low TV prices.

The Gamers Nexus investigation

A two-hour video from Gamers Nexus exposed LG TVs recording audio when off, tracking viewing habits, and containing security vulnerabilities that could allow remote hacking.

ACR systems identify everything

Automatic content recognition technology is built into nearly every modern TV. It captures audio and video snippets, converts them to digital fingerprints, and sends them to databases for identification and ad targeting.

You agree without knowing it

TV makers bury consent for data tracking in lengthy agreements with confusing language and dark patterns. Gamers Nexus showed LG automatically highlighting "Select All" when only two agreements were required.

Step one: separate email

Create a dedicated email account just for signing into your TV and streaming apps. Don't connect it to your personal email address.

Step two: minimal consent

When setting up your TV, only agree to the legally required documents needed for the TV to function. Reject automatic content recognition and any optional tracking features.

Step three: disable tracking

Go through all TV menu settings and turn off any ad tracking or data collection options. Read menu prompts carefully, as wording is often intentionally confusing.

Avoid voice control

If you're concerned about privacy, don't use your TV's voice control feature. If you must use voice control, only use it on a separate streaming device from a brand you trust.

The nuclear option

Disconnect your TV from Wi-Fi and unplug the ethernet cable entirely. Use it as a dumb TV and connect a third-party streaming device like Apple TV instead.

Why Apple TV is better

Apple TV doesn't use ACR technology and has stronger security protocols than most TV manufacturers. You can disable play history tracking in settings to limit data collection further.

Streaming apps still track you

Netflix, Disney Plus, and other streaming services track your usage within their own apps. You can block some tracking by using the "Ask App Not to Track" option on compatible devices.

The microphone problem

LG TVs with voice search kept recording for 10 to 15 seconds after detecting speech. With sensitivity cranked up, they could pick up conversations from farther away than expected.

Some claims lack evidence

The Gamers Nexus video contains speculation alongside legitimate findings. For example, claims about TVs auto-connecting to neighborhood Wi-Fi lack proof, though real security vulnerabilities were demonstrated.

We need federal privacy law

The Electronic Frontier Foundation says the real solution requires government regulation requiring opt-in consent, banning deceptive design tricks, and limiting data collection to what's necessary.

“We need a comprehensive federal privacy law that covers this sort of data collection and misuse.”

Complete protection isn't possible

There's no way to completely stop data collection from TVs and streaming services right now. The best you can do is limit how much information you share with manufacturers and advertisers.