Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition • Hacker News Board

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#21

Post by asdkhadsj » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:19 PM UTC

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #6

criddell wrote: post #3

How did we go from a country that made it a crime to share video rental records to one where everything you watch is constantly monitored and monetized?

Too many people saying, “I have nothing to hide.” Also, people like “free” stuff.

It's not even a free problem, it's general pricing. Companies constantly seek ways to increase profits, while customers constantly seek bargain basement pricing.Electronic privacy is not a problem people have dealt with at large, I think. People also often view the competency of corporations much higher than the HN crowd typically does.

I think this is the same for any category of information though. Informed people will heavily advise against things that the public just has no idea on. Health is a big one.

My question is what can we do aside from running around in panic? It feels hopeless.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#22

Post by blackhaz » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:19 PM UTC

egdod wrote: post #4

You can disable this feature, but of course you have to trust the manufacturer that it’s actually disabled. And if the manufacturer were trustworthy, they wouldn’t be doing things like this to begin with.

We need something to firewall the Internets from our too-smart house stuff! Something like an inverse firewall. A waterwall.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#23

Post by andrewstuart2 » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:19 PM UTC

TheEnder8 wrote: post #13

joeblau wrote: post #12

If you buy a smart TV, disable these features, disable network connectivity, and then plug in another 3rd party box you should be fine right?

What makes you think the third party box is any better?

If I do banking on my TV via an HTPC I've hooked up, e.g. lots of setups that have a TV as an external monitor, I don't want those being screenshot. TVs are used for a lot more than strictly TV.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#24

Post by spartas » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:20 PM UTC

I run pi-hole and have a Samsung smart TV. How do I know that the Samsung DNS servers are being blocked? What prevents Samsung from registering new meaningless-sounding DNS names and continually pushing out TV software updates peddling “Security and bugfix” release notes?

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#25

Post by nabla9 » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:20 PM UTC

If only there was good guy ISP service that would maintain blocking list for these and all tracking tools so that even clueless people are safe.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#26

Post by kccqzy » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:20 PM UTC

kenrose wrote: post #16

TheEnder8 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes you think the third party box is any better?

If it’s one you build yourself (e.g. Raspberry Pi with Kodi), it will be.

That's by definition not a third party box any more.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#27

Post by rohan1024 » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:21 PM UTC

Few reasons why I prefer dumb TVs, just a flat LED panel:

1. You have control over bullshit like this

2. You can make them smart by attaching the external box

3. You don't have to throw the TV because your Software is now old, just change the box.

4. There's new format which requires hardware support (av1 is coming), change the box.

5. Want to add new hardware? Upgrade the box.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#28

Post by Pulcinella » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:21 PM UTC

reaperducer wrote: post #10

suff wrote: post #2

Fortunately, you can specify your own DNS to point at a black hole proxy like: https://pi-hole.net

Or you could just not connect your TV to your internet connection.

I imagine the thinking is that if the TV is not connected to any WiFi, it might try to connect to something public or non-password protected neighbornet so it’s better to connect it to something non-functional rather than unconnected. Of course, the TV could just lie about what it’s doing anyway...

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#29

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:21 PM UTC

Drakim wrote: post #7

criddell wrote: post #3

How did we go from a country that made it a crime to share video rental records to one where everything you watch is constantly monitored and monetized?

It was the common man who shared video rentals yesterday, while it's businesses who monitor and monetize today. Just wait until you see how white collar crime is punished compared to street crimes!

[deleted]

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#30

Post by gruez » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 4:21 PM UTC

suff wrote: post #2

Fortunately, you can specify your own DNS to point at a black hole proxy like: https://pi-hole.net

And what do you do if the screenshots get uploaded to the same domain as the other API endpoints needed for smart TV functionality? At that point your only option would be to disconnect from the internet directly.