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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

#301

Post by hakfoo »

Diesel555 wrote: post #207
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…

Roku scares me when I'm watching movies on my Rapsberry Pi. They are .mp4 files. I'm not using their software at all... and about 2 minutes in I get a pop-up "You can view this move elsewhere at XYZ." How do they know what movie I'm watching? They are analyzing the feed. Scary.

I can't fathom what possible conversion rate that ad would have.

Even assuming the underlying premise is something like "we suspect this is pirated and here's a legitimate option", you're suggesting I leave a task I'm in the middle of... to perform the same task elsewhere?

I could see if they had the set turn on to a Wii-style menu and they had a box that said "Since you enjoyed watching Show XYZ, you may enjoy Service EFG, featuring XYZ and more", that could possibly convert, but the timing there is completely tone-deaf.

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

#302

Post by kardos »

darkteflon wrote: post #213
greggman2 wrote: post #192

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My Sony Smart TV is crap and I will never buy another Sony TV. Yes it runs android. It's slow to respond to input. Sometimes when I'm guessing it needs to page out code it can take 5-30 seconds before u can actually use it. It's crashed in the middle of watching shows and I mean the TV is being used as a dumb tv with input from an external source and suddenly android reboots. It also covers the home screen with ads f…

I own a Sony smart TV - it’s awful. Far and away the worst piece of consumer electronics I’ve ever owned. It’s ruined Sony for me as a brand. I always take the opportunity to tell people how much I hate it whenever the opportunity comes up.

Life imitates art: https://www.theonion.com/sony-releases-new-stupid-piece-of-s...

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

#303

Post by perl4ever »

mcv wrote: post #268
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.

Wouldn't that be trying to circumvent security measures, and therefore very illegal in some jurisdictions?

One person's "security measure circumvention" is another person's "security measure".

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

#304

Post by perl4ever »

Silhouette wrote: post #231
asdfasgasdgasdg wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"We collect viewing data when you use our TV in order to recommend other content you might like" will probably not really move the needle for most consumers.

And if it doesn't and they accept that by genuine choice, that's fine, it's an informed decision. But equally, maybe some people wouldn't be comfortable with, "This device contains a camera and microphone that are always on and an independent Internet connection that you cannot block. We cannot guarantee that the software in this device is 100% secure and we only guarantee to update that software for 12 months after…

It seems to me like everything already comes with a license agreement and/or other mandated disclosures that are at least as bad as that, and it's too much text to put in large print in a prominent place.

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

#305

Post by perl4ever »

WWLink wrote: post #200
brightrooms wrote: post #170

Not just tvs. All appliances are getting "smart". Refrigerators, washers, etc are or will track you too. You'll have the convenience of connecting to your fridge to see what you need to buy at the supermarket. Eventually, the fridge will just send you notifications of things you need to buy. Very convenient, but the fridge manufacturer will also know what you eat, when you shop, where you shop and everything you do i…

5 years ago I bough the cheapest side-by-side fridge Best Buy had. It is a $900 whirlpool OEM Amana. It's as dumb as the refrigerator my parents had 20 years ago. :D No complaints here! It works great!

I got a GE washer/dryer pair recently that seem to be pretty "dumb" - no wifi, no electronic display, washer is top loading and has an agitator, you can set it to use a reasonable amount of water...

And despite GE becoming a Chinese brand, they seem to have regained a reputation for reliability somewhat, based on the reviews I read.

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

#306

Post by Silhouette »

perl4ever wrote: post #304
Silhouette wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And if it doesn't and they accept that by genuine choice, that's fine, it's an informed decision. But equally, maybe some people wouldn't be comfortable with, "This device contains a camera and microphone that are always on and an independent Internet connection that you cannot block. We cannot guarantee that the software in this device is 100% secure and we only guarantee to update that software for 12 months after…

It seems to me like everything already comes with a license agreement and/or other mandated disclosures that are at least as bad as that, and it's too much text to put in large print in a prominent place.

That is part of the reason I like this approach. If it's too complicated to fit on the outside of the box, maybe the device is doing more shady stuff than it should be and needs to turn it down!

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

#307

Post by namibj »

rco8786 wrote: post #289
namibj wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Iiyama is one if them. Don't consider branding, look for tech specs/price.

They appear to specialize in PC monitors? I see a few commercial-looking LED screens they make but they're super expensive for what they are

They make zero-fuss LCD screens, many of them with standard VESA mounting and HDMI input(s).

Some of them are low-duty digital signage, or have a less-beefy desktop brother with the same/similar software and just mechanical/(power) electronics differentiating them between 8/5 and 24/7 usage to keep their warranty.

You are looking wrong when you make the price argument. Either your price source is weird, or you're looking at the "wrong" model. Just keep in mind that these are not your generic high-gloss consumer electronics flashy devices, but what a value-oriented engineering office might well use. I have yet to find a better LCD than their x4071uhsu-b1 ... Seriously, if you know of something comparable in contrast ratio: I dread the day mine breaks and I need to find a replacement.

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

#308

Post by tripzilch »

If you have one of these types of TVs, may I suggest trying to make a simple YouTube video showing clearly how to navigate the menus to disable these tracking features?

That way, people with less technical know-how (like, say, my parents) can follow the instructions and get more privacy.

At least, I assume they can be disabled? I don't think it would fly with the GDPR otherwise?

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

#309

Post by tripzilch »

novok wrote: post #163
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…

Many cars are similar nowadays too, except with cell phone service. It's very aggravating. Even if you don't pay for the 'safety' features and never turn it on. It used to be only on star but now even toyotas have it.

Assuming you don't pay a monthly fee for that, this means that there's a SIM with a free cellular data subscription somewhere in your car? :)

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

#310

Post by tripzilch »

hajhatten wrote: post #254
2wrist wrote: post #235

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh... thats where you are going wrong, when reheating pizza it is best to use a pan, although the base may get crispy. The oven works quite well too. Sure they take longer but tastes so much better!

I can't wait for my iot pan and stove respectively tell their manufacturers how often i'm reheating pizzas. Maybe my iot stove fan will get there first. All way after my iot fridge ofc called home to tell me to buy more pizza.

I can totally imagine a future iot fan to have chemical sensors so that it can send a "fingerprint" of the food you're cooking ...
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