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Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

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Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#51

Post by boring_twenties »

RussianCow wrote: post #28
farisjarrah wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Next time, make a VLAN with its own Wifi, then connect the TV to that VLAN and then what you want to do is block any incoming or outgoing network traffic to the smart TV. If you do this then no one else can attempt to hijack or connect to your TV and the TV wont ask you to connect it to a network, because its already connected to a network. This worked great on my LG smart TV.

What is the point of doing this as opposed to just skipping that step? Does it keep nagging you? Or are certain features disabled if you don't connect?

I don't own a Smart TV, but without this step I'd be very suspicious that the TV would silently try to connect to open wifi networks, or perhaps some kind of hotspot like xfinity or AT&T that the manufacturer made an agreement with.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#53

Post by lrem »

throw03172019 wrote: post #36

I disabled WiFi on my Samsung TV after they were injecting ads into the home screen. Spend $800 to get ads served in their shitty/slow UI.

An acquaintance attempted that with Kindle, by keeping it in flight mode. After some days it popped up a message kindly asking to give it some network access. After a few more days it simply ignored the flight mode and connected to get fresh ads.

Edit: I've checked with my wife who has an ad supported Kindle for over a year and keeps it in flight mode for months at a time. It never did that to her. So either Amazon changed that a long time ago, or I've believed a lie.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#54

Post by Godel_unicode »

the_svd_doctor wrote: post #33

I tried to never connect my Smart TV to anything, but I realized one day (when someone's stuff was playing on it without me accepting any request...) it connected an open network in my residence. The only trick that worked to prevent it from connecting was putting the wrong password, and let it loop forever, trying to connect. Ugly.

I have an extra SSID which has no internet access and logs all of the things for exactly this reason.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#55

Post by boring_twenties »

beamatronic wrote: post #49

You can make a Smart TV into a dumb TV by simply not allowing it to connect to the Internet, ever.

In a hn thread the other day, someone told me their TV will simply connect to any open wifi networks it comes across, just to phone home. I couldn't get the brand or model out of them, though.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#56

Post by soared »

kminehart wrote: post #3

When can I buy a TV without smart features? I don't doubt that my smart TV is reporting some data about my usage, but I barely have a choice in the matter.

There are plenty of options for non-smart TVs, where in the world do you get the idea that you 'don't have a choice'?

Took me 30 seconds, three of the TVs on page 1 are not smart: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tvs/all-flat-screen-tvs/abcat01...

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#57

Post by takeda »

throw03172019 wrote: post #36

I disabled WiFi on my Samsung TV after they were injecting ads into the home screen. Spend $800 to get ads served in their shitty/slow UI.

Things like this are why I never will buy a so-called smart tv, the only exception being is that it is better/cheaper than alternative and in that case will keep connectivity disabled like you did.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#58

Post by nfoz »

kminehart wrote: post #3

When can I buy a TV without smart features? I don't doubt that my smart TV is reporting some data about my usage, but I barely have a choice in the matter.

Here's mine: https://www.lg.com/ca_en/commercial-tv/lg-55UX340C-public-di...

You have to find your way to the "commercial" section of LG's website and even then find the ones that are dumb.

I'm very happy with it. 55" 4k, a bit cheaper than its comparable consumer line. Simple remote, doesn't hassle me, quick to start and stop.

I was able to purchase it from "Canada Computers" but YMMV in your region etc. Not always easy to get the "business" line of products as a consumer but very often (TVs, laptops) it is preferable to the junk they'll sell to consumers from the big box stores even at the same price-point.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#59

Post by wtallis »

SteveNuts wrote: post #31
Retric wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As long as every local connection is encrypted/password protected you should be fine. Unfortunately, outside of rural areas that may not be under your control.

How would encryption help in this case? If the TV connects to open wifi opportunistically it will still be sending data to the internet you don't want it to, encrypted or not.

I think he may have meant that if all available APs are using encryption, then you don't have to worry about your TV automatically connecting.

Re: Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook

#60

Post by cameronbrown »

lrem wrote: post #53
throw03172019 wrote: post #36

I disabled WiFi on my Samsung TV after they were injecting ads into the home screen. Spend $800 to get ads served in their shitty/slow UI.

An acquaintance attempted that with Kindle, by keeping it in flight mode. After some days it popped up a message kindly asking to give it some network access. After a few more days it simply ignored the flight mode and connected to get fresh ads. Edit: I've checked with my wife who has an ad supported Kindle for over a year and keeps it in flight mode for months at a time. It never did that to her. So either Amazon c…

> After a few more days it simply ignored the flight mode and connected to get fresh ads.

Worrying. "Flight" mode exists for a reason and should not be overridden.

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