Home / Technology / Smart TV Privacy Alert: Stop Data Collection Now
Smart TV Privacy Alert: Stop Data Collection Now
26 Jan
Summary
- Smart TVs use ACR technology to track viewing habits.
- Collected data fuels billions in targeted advertising.
- Disabling ACR requires multiple steps and effort.
Smart televisions from major brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony are equipped with Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology, a feature that tracks user viewing habits. This data is collected and sent to manufacturers, who use it to deliver highly targeted advertisements. In 2022 alone, advertisers reportedly spent approximately $18.6 billion on smart TV ads, with projections for continued growth.
ACR functions similarly to a real-time content identification service, capturing screenshots to cross-reference viewed content with vast databases. This process can identify up to 7,200 images per hour, linking personal information such as IP addresses and street addresses to viewer preferences. This extensive tracking offers marketers insights for content recommendations and ad performance analysis.
While ACR operates covertly, disabling it is possible, though often requires navigating through numerous settings. Users should be aware that turning off ACR may affect some smart features and that settings can sometimes revert to default after software updates. Ultimately, disabling ACR allows users to protect their privacy and mitigate potential security risks associated with this data collection.
