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Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#121

Post by dwighttk »

Buttons840 wrote: post #108
e2le wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure creating a network without no internet access is going to be a long term solution. It's entirely likely that they will create future functionality in these devices to cycle through open networks and networks to which they have credentials for until they find one with internet access.

HDMI will share its connection through the cable as well. So if you want to use a Chromecast or a BluRay player, etc, then your TV can get internet through that.

If you’re using a chromecast and also trying to keep your tv from phoning home what are you even doing? I mean I guess one fewer place having your info is good, but...

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#122

Post by kingosticks »

newnewpdro wrote: post #80
defen wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's not on the network why would you need firmware updates? (serious question)

Bugs affecting its base functionality?

Hdmi-cec is a classic. The implementation on many TVs is riddled with bugs.

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#123

Post by zeta0134 »

Buttons840 wrote: post #108
e2le wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure creating a network without no internet access is going to be a long term solution. It's entirely likely that they will create future functionality in these devices to cycle through open networks and networks to which they have credentials for until they find one with internet access.

HDMI will share its connection through the cable as well. So if you want to use a Chromecast or a BluRay player, etc, then your TV can get internet through that.

I hear this speculated a lot; is there any proof of this being done in the wild? Not trying to discredit, I think it's perfectly plausible, I'm just curious if any companies have been caught doing it

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#124

Post by shakna »

celticmusic wrote: post #119
Buttons840 wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

HDMI cables can double as Ethernet cables. In the future "just unplug it from the network" will mean "just unplug all HDMI devices".

that's not the point, block it at the router. What am I missing that makes HDMI cables doubling as ethernet cables a problem for blocking it from accessing the network?

> What am I missing that makes HDMI cables doubling as ethernet cables a problem for blocking it from accessing the network?

You block the TV from accessing the network.

You connect the TV to a device that will let you stream Netflix, via HDMI.

The TV requests internet connectivity over HDMI through that device automatically.

Blocking the network access to the TV has now been worked around and no longer matters.

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#125

Post by mokus »

e2le wrote: post #92
smileybarry wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I have about 400% more trust of Microsoft and Sony than I do of random smart tv manufacturers. It should be noted Sony's TVs are different than their game consoles in what they collect and do. They run a relatively clean version of Android TV except for "Samba TV", which is yet another piece of show-recognizing (known as ACR) analytics. However, you can apparently decline its privacy policy on initial setup and eve…

I'm not sure creating a network without no internet access is going to be a long term solution. It's entirely likely that they will create future functionality in these devices to cycle through open networks and networks to which they have credentials for until they find one with internet access.

I’d like to think that would be a CFAA violation, but I’m probably overly optimistic.

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#126

Post by OrgNet »

smileybarry wrote: post #83
walrus01 wrote: post #33

In my opinion you should not use ANY of the smart features of a "smart" TV. Don't give it your wifi key and don't put it on your LAN. I have about 400% more trust of Microsoft and Sony than I do of random smart tv manufacturers. I also have a fairly high degree of confidence that the xbox one and PS4 software will remain up to date with security patches, and address critical issues quickly. I have no confidence for T…

> I have about 400% more trust of Microsoft and Sony than I do of random smart tv manufacturers. It should be noted Sony's TVs are different than their game consoles in what they collect and do. They run a relatively clean version of Android TV except for "Samba TV", which is yet another piece of show-recognizing (known as ACR) analytics. However, you can apparently decline its privacy policy on initial setup and eve…

> It entirely depends on manufacturer but I've heard of some actually seeking out open networks for internet access if you don't configure their Wi-Fi. Some people reported an unconnected TV suddenly prompted to update because the neighbour's wifi was unsecured. If you can, I'd set up a specific SSID with no LAN or WAN access just in case.

They probably will use 5G cellphone service eventually...

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#127

Post by bo1024 »

NeedMoreTea wrote: post #24
AdamJacobMuller wrote: post #2

I had a very nice Sharp Aquos TV for a long time. One of the first reasonably priced 1080p 65" TVs. It had absolutely no "smart" features, which was perfectly fine with me. I have my TV hooked up to a home theatre system and have my devices (PS4/AppleTV/XB1/Nvidia Shield) hooked up to that. I recently upgraded to a LG 4K OLED TV. It's an absolutely gorgeous TV, but, I absolutely lament the "smart" features of this TV…

I think we've reached the point where the only safe way of buying a TV is to buy a business conference room display or large screen monitor instead. Seems to be the only way to get something without all the dystopian crap.

Projectors are also an option.

Re: Smart TVs like Samsung, LG and Roku are tracking everything

#129

Post by qwerty456127 »

rco8786 wrote: post #120
qwerty456127 wrote: post #98

It also is extremely hard to fix a smart TV once it gets infected with a virus. Just don't buy smart TVs. Buy a dumb TV, attach a RaspberryPi or an Intel NUC, install Kodi and enjoy.

Would love to. Who is currently making these dumb TVs? I’m in the market and can’t find anything.

Buy a used one. Or even better - buy a projector.
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