Did you know this about your newer model tv?

[dixiegrrrrl]

" From facial recognition to personal data collection, this thing is downright scary -- and so are the implications"
Michael Price

The author talks about the new TV he purchased......

I am now the owner of a new “smart” TV, which promises to deliver streaming multimedia content, games, apps, social media and Internet browsing. Oh, and TV too.

The only problem is that I’m now afraid to use it. You would be too — if you read through the 46-page privacy policy.

The amount of data this thing collects is staggering. It logs where, when, how and for how long you use the TV. It sets tracking cookies and beacons designed to detect “when you have viewed particular content or a particular email message.” It records “the apps you use, the websites you visit, and how you interact with content.” It ignores “do-not-track” requests as a considered matter of policy.

It also has a built-in camera — with facial recognition. The purpose is to provide “gesture control” for the TV and enable you to log in to a personalized account using your face. On the upside, the images are saved on the TV instead of uploaded to a corporate server. On the downside, the Internet connection makes the whole TV vulnerable to hackers who have demonstrated the ability to take complete control of the machine.

More troubling is the microphone. The TV boasts a “voice recognition” feature that allows viewers to control the screen with voice commands. But the service comes with a rather ominous warning: “Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party.” Got that? Don’t say personal or sensitive stuff in front of the TV.

http://www.salon.com20141030im_terrified_of_my_new_tv_why_im_scared_to_turn_this_thing_on_and_youd_be_too/

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Makes me wonder if a new industry will spring up

of 'television "repair" services' that take your new TV and disable microphones, cameras, and the like. It'll still track all your viewing and usage, but at least it won't be able to 'Big Brother' what you say, or stream you wandering around nude in your house.

[yeoman6987]

2. I have a SMART tv

I like it because it has Netflix, Hulu and Amazon as well as other great things. If they are spying on me then I must start watching TV naked that would teach them real quick. Lol.

[Fla Dem]

14. Roku has all those channels as well. Starts at $49.99. No smart TV needed.

https://www.roku.com/

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Can you help me understand Roku?

From what I have read about it, it can be used to capture streaming content from the Web and then play it back on a tv screen?
and/or a puter screen?

How is that different than me downloading something from the web via my puter and playing back on my puter screen?
( I watch everything on the LED puter screen, we don't have tv).

[Fla Dem]

36. Roku is only for tv. It captures your wireless signal to stream programming to your tv.

You can't do internet with Roku, only the programming contained in Roku. You can get most of the streaming video sites you can get on a PC like Amazon, Hulu, Netflix etc.

[dixiegrrrrl]

44. Thank you for the info.

what I am seeing happening is... a bunch of devices out there to get movies/tv shows to be viewed at home.
Some people, like me, like watching on the puter so can use internet to stream/download.
Some people like to see the shows on their bigger tv screens, so can use selective channel devices like Roku
I know people who download online and watch on their tv.

and..lol....lots of people watch films on their phablets...Nook, Amazon Kindle ( now morphed into Amazon Fire) and other tablets,
via streaming, or downloading for future watching.

[Atman]

40. We went the Apple TV route; recommended by the PC mags for Apple users.

We already have Macs in the house, use iPhones, and have Airport. According to every review I've read, if you're already invested in Apple stuff, stick with Apple. If not, Roku does pretty much the same thing.

I love our new Apple TV. I'm assuming Roku would be just as cool. There are live news channels, lots of current content (Daily Show, Colbert, SNL, basic stuff, are all available the next day). It's easy to navigate. If you have Amazon Prime, you just download the AP app and then it will play whatever you want to watch over wifi. You can watch YouTube videos, movies you have ripped or downloaded to your computer. Best decision we ever made. Saving us a fortune in cable fees every month.

[liberal N proud]

3. Put tape over the camera

[TorchTheWitch]

6. where is the camera?

I've never seen anything that looks like one, and I've had this "smart" tv for years. I never did complete most of the set up stuff though since I don't get regular tv or use it for the internet - I just use it to watch my dvd's. The camera thing is REALLY damned creepy though!

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Newer puters have cameras, too.

and microphones.
The cameras are on puters for people who want to Skype, for instance.
But can be accessed by anyone for nefarious reasons.

[Atman]

11. Your TV, if you've had it "for years," is probably not that smart.

Seriously, we have one of the first Samsung smart tvs. But it features a LAN port which you must use to activate all of the "smart" functions. That requires the purchase of a separate device through Samsung, about $50. Being that we already got Netflix and Hulu through the Wii, and we already have a computer for internet, we never bought the device. I'm guessing your tv is the same. Most of the older smart tv's were internet-capable, but not actually internet-ready without the add-on.

[TorchTheWitch]

23. I can't hook up the computer to the tv even if I wanted to

Which I don't. One is downstairs and the other is upstairs.

[Bandit]

28. I have a smart tv and it hooks up automatically to internet via wifi

Don't need any other device except of course my wifi router which I need for my computers and mobile devices.

[Atman]

39. That's one of the newer ones people are afraid of.

Our TV is GREAT. Backlit LED, great specs...but as I said, it was before most tvs had built-in wifi. You had to plug in an ethernet cable, use the Wii (or Apple TV, etc), or buy Samsung's LAN adapter. And it has no camera built in. I'm quite happy with this "antique" technology.

[liberal N proud]

17. It would be a little black square on the frame

If you can't find one, they you are probably safe to walk past the TV in your underwear or less.

[TorchTheWitch]

22. well yeah, it's that walking around in my underwear thing that makes me cringe

Actually, I'm not sure if it's the tv or the blue ray that uses this "smart" whatever it is. I think it's the blue ray actually. That doesn't have a camera either.

Maybe I'm just confused with what this "smart" term being discussed actually is. The blue ray uses a program called "smart (something)" that has something to do with being able to hook up your computer and any other generally tv using devises or programs like Netflix and all that jazz.

[dixiegrrrrl]

43. The designation "smart" has basically meant an object has 2 way communication

between it and somewhere else, usually "the internet" or a cell phone towner.
Originally, and not that long ago, it applied to cell phones.

Then puters got into the "smart" way of interacting, esp. with Skype, which requires visual capability and a microphone.

Then cars. The whole Google maps thing and GPS. Now the cars can record all sorts of data about your driving and report it back to insurance companies.
I won't be surprised if soon your car will be forced to not go over a speed limit, or will tell the local police if you are going faster than the limit. The police can then make your car stop till they come to you with the ticket.
The day that happens, those of us with "dumb cars" will be forced to get rid of them, betcha.

Another designation is the "smart house" where lights, heating and cooling are all programmed via your cell phone.
Yes, it is here, it is now.

The power company has replaced meter readers with a "smart" meter which sends monthly usage back to the power company for billing.
But I also figure they can disable the power to any single house if they want to.

Coming down the pike very very quickly is "the Internet of things" which will connect all these smart devices and info. and all the various "cloud" storage sites, so that we will be "wired" 24/7.
google it, and see.

Time to watch Minority Report again and see how this scenario can be played out.

[TBF]

33. Yup - when we bought the Xbox

we turned the camera to face the wall. They can watch paint dry.

[hobbit709]

4. I don't own a "smart" TV for the same reasons I don't own a "smart" phone.

If I want to watch something on the TV from online, I use my HTPC that I built for the purpose-and it doesn't use Windoze either..

[hlthe2b]

5. Bought two cheap "stupid" tvs, mainly to use for video

Those with the gargantuan widescreens can't believe I'm happy to have only this tiny "unsophisticated" flat panel tv.

Guess I might get the last laugh....

[el_bryanto]

7. I read that article

I agree there are elements to be concerned about, but the tone of it struck me as a bit fear-mongery.

Bryant

[Jesus Malverde]

41. CIA Chief: We’ll Spy on You Through Your Dishwasher

More and more personal and household devices are connecting to the internet, from your television to your car navigation systems to your light switches. CIA Director David Petraeus cannot wait to spy on you through them.

http://www.wired.com/2012/03/petraeus-tv-remote/

[librechik]

8. this is just a new twist on the old meme--people don't realize it, but

we might as well be living in East Germany under the Stasi. The only thing missing is the barbed wire and military on every corner. And believe me, if the had any idea that we might get uppity, the military and barb wire will come.

They're letting us live in Brave New World as long as we're nice and docile. if we ever actually try to revolt, then it'll be 1984.

[appal_jack]

34. The Stasi never convinced the E. Germans to buy their own bugs/cameras/mics.

Capitalism has been much more creative in convincing us to rush toward being spied upon via embracing the latest gizmos. Add-up many peoples' cable bills, smartphone plans, and internet service and we are shelling out hundreds of dollars per month to help the NSA know everything about us.

If you have not yet watched "The Lives of Others" (2006) I highly recommend it for a powerful look at East Germany back in the day.

I know that by posting here, I am doing my part to be known and tabulated. But fuck it, I'm an American who believes in the Constitution and a government that derives its legitimacy from the consent of the citizenry. This is nothing to be ashamed of...

Other than that matter of degree, I agree with your post 100%.



-app

[hifiguy]

37. Yup.

They didn't have platoons of MBAs with marketing specializations. We are, as Roger Waters observed, amusing ourselves to death.

[librechik]

42. am haunted by "The Lives of Others"; can't go into a shower without thinking about it…n/t

[Odin2005]

46. The ruling class has discovered that propaganda, bread, and circuses...

...are a far better form of population control than outright force. Only when the Capitalist cultural hegemony's official narrative is threatened by things like OWS does the iron fist come out. The vast majority, including most "progressives" are brainwashed well.

[Electric Monk]

9. That URL is not to the real salon.com it is to a spoofing site, so I'm not even clicking it. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. I don't think so

if you go to http://www.salon.com/
you can find the article listed in the right column.

and the article is also posted here:
http://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/im-terrified-my-new-tv-why-im-scared-turn-thing

[Electric Monk]

19. Here is the proper URL from salon.com

http://www.salon.com/2014/10/30/im_terrified_of_my_new_tv_why_im_scared_to_turn_this_thing_on_and_youd_be_too/

Notice the difference?

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. DetlefK, downthread, pointed out the typo a bit ago...

I plead lack of caffeine....

[onenote]

12. In other words, a smart tv is a form of computer. Like the one manyDUers use to post their messages.

I think Samsung is the TV manufacturer that most commonly has built in webcams in its TVs. Good for using Skype, maybe not so good if you're concerned about it being hacked. But then again, one should have a similar concern about whether you have a built in webcam in your computer.

For the record, my new Toshiba smart tv does not have a built in webcam -- if I want to use Skype with it, I need an optional add-on webcam.

[DetlefK]

13. Some slashes got lost. Here is it:

http://www.salon.com/2014/10/30/im_terrified_of_my_new_tv_why_im_scared_to_turn_this_thing_on_and_youd_be_too/

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Thank you!

My goof.

[kelliekat44]

20. No one seems to care about this. Imagine if this the Federal government demanding this. nt

[MineralMan]

24. If you're concerned, don't buy one of those TVs.

Buy one that doesn't have that stuff. You'll save money, too. If you want streaming content, get one of the add-ons. But be aware that it's using your wi-fi and you're connecting to the Internet, where what you do is tracked, too.

As for the camera nonsense, if your TV has one and you don't want it, tape over it. How simple is that?

[Orsino]

27. It was way cheaper, anyway, to buy a regular monitor...

...and get the smartish apps in an inexpensive Blu-ray player.

[Blue_Tires]

25. Would have been nice for him to mention the make and model that he bought

[Orsino]

29. Probably not allowed by the EULA.

He should go down the street, and whisper the information into a pay phone.

[upaloopa]

26. Don't add apps everytime the chance pops up

[Avalux]

30. A camera in every home, watching us. It's really downright horrific.

I'm going to take a guess that most people won't care; they probably won't even read the 46 page privacy policy. As long as they have a TV that can do all kinds of neat stuff, they will easily hand over their privacy.

I guess the question is - can a person buy a new TV that is not "smart"?

[tammywammy]

38. Yes, you can still buy non-smart TVs.

You can buy TVs without cameras. Even if limited to smart TVs you don't have to hook up the internet to them, you can choose to not use the "smart" features.

And a lot of people have cameras in their homes...on their laptops.

[Electric Monk]

45. Predicted in Fahrenheit 451, written more than 60 years ago by Ray Bradbury.

Life imitating art, again... It wasn't just about burning the books.

[Nye Bevan]

31. "You are the dead," said an iron voice behind them.

They sprang apart. Winston's entrails seemed to have turned into ice. He could see the white all round the irises of Julia's eyes. Her face had turned a milky yellow. The smear of rouge that was still on each cheekbone stood out sharply, almost as though unconnected with the skin beneath.

"You are the dead," repeated the iron voice.

"It was behind the picture." breathed Julia.

"It was behind the picture," said the voice. "Remain exactly where you are. Make no movement until you are ordered."

It was starting, it was starting at last! They could do nothing except stand gazing into one another's eyes. To run for life, to get out of the house before it was too late - no such thought occurred to them. Unthinkable to disobey the iron voice from the wall. There was a snap as though a catch had been turned back, and a crash of breaking glass. The picture had fallen to the floor, uncovering the telescreen behind it.

"Now they can see us," said Julia.

"Now we can see you," said the voice. "Stand out in the middle of the room. Stand back to back. Clasp your hands behind your heads. Do not touch one another."

They were not touching, but it seemed to him that he could feel Julia's body shaking. Or perhaps it was merely the shaking of his own. He could just stop his teeth from chattering, but his knees were beyond his control. There was a sound of trampling boots below, inside the house and outside. The yard seemed to be full of men. Something was being dragged across the stones. The woman's singing had stopped abruptly. There was a long, rolling clang, as though the washtub had been flung across the yard, and then a confusion of angry shouts which ended in a yell of pain.

"The house is surrounded," said Winston.

"The house is sourrounded," said the voice.

He heard Julia snap her teeth together.

"I suppose we may as well say good-bye." she said.

"You may as well say good-bye," said the voice.

http://www.orwelltoday.com/betrayal.shtml

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

32. The latest models have sets of hidden retractable arms and legs

and the TV can step down off its pedestal and come and slap handcuffs on you if it doesn't like what it sees and hears

[woo me with science]

35. We have seen the future

and it is corporate dystopia.

Fascism has come to America.