The explosion of smart home devices is sparking renewed concerns over privacy, with users increasingly wary of the data-collection practices embedded in these technologies. While the topic of data privacy has long been a focus with smartphones, recent research highlights the more invasive tracking capabilities of smart TVs. A joint study by researchers from the U.S., U.K., and Spain sheds light on just how much information smart TVs gather through Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) — technology that creates a comprehensive profile of a user’s viewing habits.
According to the study, smart TVs capture extensive details, from which linear TV shows and movies are watched, to streaming choices, gaming activity, and the length of time spent on particular content. This data generates a unique digital fingerprint that is then sent to the manufacturer’s servers. This tracking occurs so long as the smart TV is connected to the internet and the user has accepted its terms and conditions, typically upon first setup.
Alarmingly, data collection is not limited to content accessed through the TV’s built-in apps. The study found that ACR can still identify the content being displayed even if the TV is used solely as an HDMI display. This monitoring is consistent regardless of the content source, though certain third-party apps like Netflix and YouTube seem to block this kind of tracking, likely due to specific agreements or technical restrictions.
The method used to capture this data is particularly invasive. For example, LG’s smart TVs take screenshots approximately every 10 milliseconds (100 screenshots per second), while Samsung models capture screenshots every 500 milliseconds. These screenshots are then relayed back to the manufacturer after 15 seconds, building a constant picture of the user’s activity. While the study focused on Samsung and LG, similar practices have been reported for other major smart TV manufacturers, raising serious questions about user privacy in an increasingly connected world.