Difference between regular TV and Smart TV
Smart TVs have really taken the world by storm. With so many great features and the ability to connect to the Internet, technology has changed the way we watch TV.
Reasons not to connect Smart TV to the Internet
Almost everyone has a Smart TV these days , but not everyone is happy about it. And now, news that Smart TVs are taking pictures and tracking everything you watch down to the millisecond is sure to add to that discontent and give you another reason to ditch your Smart TV.
Smart TVs are capturing everything you do
Privacy concerns are one of the main reasons why you might not want to buy a Smart TV. Now, a 2024 study has found that some of the top Smart TV brands, such as Samsung and LG, are using something called Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) to periodically capture what's on screen.
Once captured, the information is sent back to the company’s servers, where it is analyzed and used to serve targeted ads. Over time, the system builds a unique fingerprint of the content you want to see, delivering increasingly targeted ads to your home.
At a high level, ACR works by periodically capturing the content displayed on the TV screen and comparing it to a content library to detect what is being viewed on the TV. It's essentially Shazam-like technology for audio/video content on Smart TVs.
The study found that Samsung Smart TVs running the Tizen OS can take screenshots every half a second, while LG WebOS TVs can take screenshots every 10 milliseconds. However, Samsung and LG aren't the only ones using ACR technology; the study notes that "ACR is deployed by all major Smart TV manufacturers," but there hasn't been much scrutiny of how this privacy-invasive technology is used.
What’s more, these Smart TVs track on-screen content even when using external devices, with the TV in “brick” mode via HDMI. So when you boot up your console in the evening to play games, ACR technology still tracks your activity and adds it to your user profile.
How to Stop Your Smart TV from Recording Everything You Do
Unfortunately, as you might expect, these companies don’t make it easy to opt out of having everything you do recorded. However, each Smart TV will have a range of options you can change to limit the amount of activity recorded and the data uploaded; research shows that it doesn’t stop the process entirely.
For example, Samsung Smart TVs should reject or change the following settings:
- Turn off "I consent to viewing information services on this device"
- Turn off "I consent to interest-based advertisements"
- Turn off Customization Service
- Turn on Do not track
- Turn off Improve personalized ads
- Turn off Get news and special offers
While LG Smart TV owners should:
- Enable Limit ad tracking
- Turn off TV membership agreement for marketing comms
- Turn on Do not sell my personal information
- Edit the User Agreement in Privacy and Terms as follows:
- Turn off:
- Viewing information agreement
- Voice information agreement
- Interest-based & Cross-device advertising agreement
- Who.Where.What?
- Turn off:
- Turn off Home promotion
- Turn off Content recommendation
- Turn off Live plus
- Turn off AI recommendation (Who.Where.What, Smart Tips)
There are a lot of settings to keep track of, and even then, Smart TVs will still record some data.
The most effective way to prevent your Smart TV from recording your every move and protect your privacy is to stop using your Smart TV completely and switch back to a regular TV if possible. Disconnect your Smart TV from the Internet and switch to an external streaming device instead.
4 Ways AI Is Making Smart TVs Better
From better picture and sound quality to voice control and more, these AI-powered features are making smart TVs so much better!
4 favorite features on Samsung Smart TV
Many Samsung Smart TVs come with built-in features that can enhance your streaming and gaming experience. Here are our favorites.
6 best apps to install on smart TV
While you can use it to play games on your console or watch movies or shows on your favorite streaming platform, TV channel, or cable subscription, did you know that it can do so much more?
5 Best 75-inch TVs 2025: Is Your TV One of These?
The growing popularity of large-sized, high-resolution TVs is an example of people's ever-increasing need for entertainment.
Why is Android TV the best Smart TV platform on the market?
There are plenty of Smart TV platforms to choose from, like Apple tvOS and Samsung's Tizen OS. But there's one Smart TV platform that's better than any other: Google's Android TV.
Common Smart TV Problems and How to Fix Them
Smart TVs are great for streaming content, but no matter how smart they are, you can run into more problems than with a regular TV. Here's how to fix common Smart TV problems!
5 Smart TV Apps You Can Use Without Wi-Fi
Using a Smart TV without the Internet may seem counterintuitive at first. However, with the right apps installed, you can stay entertained, informed, and even productive.
Change these 5 settings to make your Smart TV more private instantly!
The good news is that changing a few key settings can instantly boost your Smart TV's privacy and reduce unnecessary tracking.
7 things that accidentally void your Smart TV warranty
Smart TV warranties are a safety net, meant to protect you if something goes wrong. However, you can accidentally void your Smart TV warranty without even realizing it.
How to fix the problem of difficult to hear dialogue on Smart TV
Many users complain that dialogue in movies and TV shows is too quiet compared to other audio or not clear enough to hear on Smart TV.
Alternative solutions when losing Smart TV remote control
Your Smart TV remote is missing again. Maybe it got stuck between cushions, lost in a pile of laundry, or just disappeared. Before you get frustrated, try these simple solutions to control your Smart TV without having to run all over the house.
Smart TV can replace these 5 gadgets!
Your living room is more cluttered than it needs to be. Smart TVs are so advanced these days that a modern TV comes with a whole layer of convenience that you no longer need.
6 signs its time to upgrade your Smart TV
Smart TVs are the centerpiece of most modern living rooms. But like all technology, they don't last forever.
Do you need both a Smart TV and a streaming device?
Can a smart TV replace a streaming device, or do they work better together? If you're torn between the two, it's time to analyze their strengths and weaknesses and consider whether owning both is worth it.
How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate
As you know, RAM is a very important hardware part in a computer, acting as memory to process data and is the factor that determines the speed of a laptop or PC. In the article below, WebTech360 will introduce you to some ways to check for RAM errors using software on Windows.
Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers
The automatic home coffee maker is a modern and professional product, bringing you and your family delicious cups of coffee with just a few quick steps.
Difference between regular TV and Smart TV
Smart TVs have really taken the world by storm. With so many great features and the ability to connect to the Internet, technology has changed the way we watch TV.
Why doesnt the freezer have a light but the refrigerator does?
Refrigerators are familiar appliances in families. Refrigerators usually have 2 compartments, the cool compartment is spacious and has a light that automatically turns on every time the user opens it, while the freezer compartment is narrow and has no light.
2 Ways to Fix Network Congestion That Slows Down Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi networks are affected by many factors beyond routers, bandwidth, and interference, but there are some smart ways to boost your network.
How to Downgrade from iOS 17 to iOS 16 without Losing Data using Tenorshare Reiboot
If you want to go back to stable iOS 16 on your phone, here is the basic guide to uninstall iOS 17 and downgrade from iOS 17 to 16.
What happens to the body when you eat yogurt every day?
Yogurt is a great food. Is it good to eat yogurt every day? What will happen to your body when you eat yogurt every day? Let's find out together!
Which type of rice is best for health?
This article discusses the most nutritious types of rice and how to maximize the health benefits of whichever rice you choose.
How to wake up on time in the morning
Establishing a sleep schedule and bedtime routine, changing your alarm clock, and adjusting your diet are some of the measures that can help you sleep better and wake up on time in the morning.
Rent Please! Landlord Sim Tips for Beginners
Rent Please! Landlord Sim is a simulation mobile game on iOS and Android. You will play as a landlord of an apartment complex and start renting out an apartment with the goal of upgrading the interior of your apartments and getting them ready for rent.
Latest Bathroom Tower Defense Codes and How to Enter Codes
Get Bathroom Tower Defense Roblox game codes and redeem them for exciting rewards. They will help you upgrade or unlock towers with higher damage.
Structure, symbols and operating principles of transformers
Let's learn about the structure, symbols and operating principles of transformers in the most accurate way.
4 Ways AI Is Making Smart TVs Better
From better picture and sound quality to voice control and more, these AI-powered features are making smart TVs so much better!
Why ChatGPT is better than DeepSeek
DeepSeek initially had high hopes. As an AI chatbot marketed as a strong competitor to ChatGPT, it promised intelligent conversational capabilities and experiences.
Meet Fireflies.ai: The Free AI Secretary That Saves You Hours of Work
It's easy to miss important details when you're jotting down other essentials, and trying to take notes while chatting can be distracting. Fireflies.ai is the solution.