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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

#6

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.

It's surprising to me that you can't find a single medium or high-ish end TV without smart features, but at the same time chromecast/firetv/apple tv units and sticks also seem to be selling very well.

Is everyone just putting up with the shitty built-in smart interface, but then switching inputs to their separate unit of choice?

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

#7

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.

I've heard looking at "commercial" displays is the answer, but I've been able to live with my old dumb TVs so far.

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

#9

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.

It's surprising to me that you can't find a single medium or high-ish end TV without smart features, but at the same time chromecast/firetv/apple tv units and sticks also seem to be selling very well. Is everyone just putting up with the shitty built-in smart interface, but then switching inputs to their separate unit of choice?

Business-wise, they need to have the "smarts" built-in to subsidies the price so they can compete. Even if you don't use the built-in apps, it's still collecting interesting enough data to sell. Most people don't know how to block specific devices from accessing the internet, and worse, some of those devices won't work at all if they can't.

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

#10

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.

It’s pretty simple: don’t connect it to the internet. Use something like AppleTV or your own box that you trust to show your streaming services.
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