In response to a question from a researcher about smart home/kitchen, I pointed out, in passing, that a "smart tv" can keep track of what we are viewing and even listen to what we are saying. Of course it is not the TV that is interested in your viewing habits and preferences but the service provider. Lest we forget, Orwell's 1984 is very much alive in the age of the Internet. I am keeping my distance from smart tv. What about you? What are your thoughts given that many home devices will have IoT ( Internet of things) connectivity?
This is a sad development but one should expect coders to fill the gap or expect a sales decay.
In my opinion, IoT is a future technology that we will have to face it. The best thing that we can do is that trying to keep it safe, secure and reliable.
It's possible that the smart TV can track what shows you are watching. If the TV is voice actuated, it's also possible that it can be made to relay everything within its listening range, rather than just listen to specific commands. But that doesn't mean it is doing so. It only means that it's possible to design it to spy on people.
Just like any PC or any telephone. Anything connected to a 2-way network, such as the Internet or the telephone network, can in principle be used for "spying." Before buying the TV, it's good to inform yourself what the set is designed to do, and whether the features can be shut off.
Much of this "spying" is done for the TV networks to estimate the audience for their shows, and for advertisers to see he effectiveness of their ads.
I assume you are using a PC and/or a smartphone, or you wouldn't be posting on RG. Are you aware that PCs and smartphones can spy on you? And yet, you are using these devices?
Yes, I am fully aware of that -- think of cookies, for example. I use VPN, to the extent that they are effective in reducing " spying".
Samsung has actually pointed to the fact that its smart TV could be used to infringe on your privacy by third parties, not Samsung itself. Please see:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/your-samsung-smarttv-is-spying-on-you-basically.
Or this from Australia:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-10/samsung-warns-customers-new-smart-tvs-listen-in-on-users/6082144
If you search the Internet, you will come across more of similar reports..
Honestly, I find it difficult to believe that other TV manufacturers do not have such capability. I hope I am wrong on both counts.
I leave it to the reader to decide if s(he) wants to believe the sources I cite.
For now, do take care of yourselves and your privacy..
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