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

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#151

Post by freeflight » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:28 PM UTC

wil421 wrote: post #116

freeflight wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Just disconnect it from the network and keep a box plugged into HDMI1. One would assume it'd be as simple as that, but apparently it ain't because many SmartTV's will jump trough quite a few loops to get online, like using nearby open Wifi. At least there's been a bunch of stories like this in past HN discussions around SmartTV's.

There’s been plenty of discussions on HN about the possibilities of SmartTVs doing nefarious stuff but not a lot stuff in the wild. Last time this came up someone was telling me the TV could get Ethernet from an HDMI cable via an AppleTV or Xbox etc. Stackexchange said the tech was dead and no one really adopted it. You can’t find a TV or even a cable that supports it. Any source about the auto connect to open WiFi?

Where do the discussions on HN, and Reddit [0], come from if it's not a thing in the wild? Granted: It's hard to search for because Google will bury any relevant results between a ton of support requests about people not being able to get their Samsung TV online.

[0] https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/bpr6xs/if_you_choo...

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#152

Post by OrgNet » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:29 PM UTC

bitwize wrote: post #51

soared wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To each their own - 100% of the content I consume is Netflix or YouTube. For me a non-smart tv is useless unless I hook up something smart to it.

The thing is, the smart thing you hook up to it is under your control. It could be a laptop or Raspberry Pi.

Is a Windows PC really under your control nowadays? And if you connect your phone to the TV, you don't really even own those, even if you paid $1000 for your "phone". The manufacturers are the true owners unless you root them which is not always easy.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#153

Post by kstrauser » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:29 PM UTC

wcfields wrote: post #73

rohan1024 wrote: post #27

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.

Wait until 5G rolls out into mass adoption where an IoT modem is built into every TV for “diagnostics”

I have a ham radio license. If/when this happens, I eagerly look forward to using what I’ve picked up to figure out how to kill this with fire. In all likelihood, a piece of thin metal plate taped to the case in the right place will probably be all that’s needed.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#154

Post by rchaud » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:29 PM UTC

shpx wrote: post #74

rohan1024 wrote: post #27

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.

Which dumb 4K TV(s) should I buy?

Shouldn't your question be 'which 4K TVs are still dumb'? I cannot find a single TV at Best Buy that isn't a Smart TV.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#155

Post by gruez » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:30 PM UTC

zingermc wrote: post #130

rmolin88 wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Buy any 4K that fits your budget. Just don't connect it to your WiFi.

This assumes a certain (low) level of malicious intent. A fully malicious TV will connect to open WiFi nearby or use even more exotic methods to exfiltrate data.

>A fully malicious TV will connect to open WiFi nearby

Connect to your own wifi and block any traffic?

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#156

Post by daveFNbuck » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:30 PM UTC

naner wrote: post #14

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?

Ads, baby. Everything you do online is for sale.

Displaying content on your television isn't something you do online. It's something you're doing at home. Samsung is spying and putting it online.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#157

Post by kstrauser » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:30 PM UTC

allannienhuis wrote: post #90

reilly3000 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or you could just block the TV’s MAC address on your router.

they'll just connect to your neighbour's router, or their car, or their phone...

That’s a legit concern. If Samsung made a deal with, say, Comcast to connect to the ever-present “xfinitywifi” SSID, then it wouldn’t matter if you’re blocking the sly TV from your own network.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#158

Post by jacquesm » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:31 PM UTC

dominotw wrote: post #117

jacquesm wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In a word: lobbying.

In a word: convenience.

No, laws are not made by convenience. They are made by lawmakers who in turn are influenced by lobbyists. That is why it was illegal to share video rental records and that is why it is not illegal to monitor and monetize your private data.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#159

Post by driverdan » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:31 PM UTC

kiwee wrote: post #62

Unfortunately all vendors do it. Here is how to disable it, for most brands: https://www.flatpanelshd.com/focus.php?subaction=showfull&id...

Here is how to disable it for all brands: Don't connect your TV to the internet.

Re: Samsung TVs May Upload Screenshots for Automatic Content Recognition

#160

Post by jordanbeiber » Sat, Dec 28, 2019, 5:31 PM UTC

shpx wrote: post #74

rohan1024 wrote: post #27

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.

Which dumb 4K TV(s) should I buy?

I’ll go for this one when my plasma dies:

https://ironcast.tv/