Smart TV can also listen to your conversations secretly. This TV installed in the drawing room or bedroom of the house can also record your personal or private conversations. Like every smart device used in homes, there is a risk of data leak in it too. In such a situation, like every smart device, there is a need to keep some things in mind while using smart TV, otherwise your personal things can go viral.
Why is there risk?
Most of the smart TVs coming these days are equipped with microphones. These microphones are given to control TV apps through voice commands. This microphone can record your bedroom conversations and personal talks. In such a situation, if your personal conversations are recorded and fall into the hands of cyber criminals, then huge losses can occur.
You must have also experienced that the information about the movies, shows or programs watched on Smart TV is stored in it. Based on the operating system used in smart TV, it shows you the movies or shows of your preference. Sometimes you see suggestions of the movie or show you are talking about on TV. This happens because of the microphone installed in the TV. If you give access to the microphone, the conversation will be recorded. Apps installed on the TV have access to microphone, storage, IP address and location etc.
Shares are with companies
The TV’s operating system shares your preferences with advertising and analytics companies. In such a situation, you will have to take care of this while talking about something personal in front of smart TV. According to experts, the biggest threat in TV is due to ACR i.e. Automatic Content Recognition. It scans every content playing on the TV. It collects every information you see on TV. It also stores your voice through the microphone.
Many TV manufacturing brands like Google, Samsung, LG etc. claim that ACR is used to suggest users their favorite TV shows, web series etc. However, companies also use them for advertising. Your data is used for digital profiles and ad targeting.
How to avoid this?
- We should be conscious about our privacy in every smart device we use daily. By going to the settings of the smart TV, the voice control and voice assistant settings should be turned off.
- Apart from this, keep ACR and personalized features also switched off.
- If not necessary, switch off the TV and disconnect from Wi-Fi.
- Many smart TVs come with in-built cameras. Keep their cameras switched off. Also, do not give any access to the microphone. To keep the data of smart TV secure, keep updating its software from time to time.
Also read – Fraud is happening by changing the voice through AI, one mistake will empty the bank account, how to avoid it?
SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
