Proton discloses the methods used by smart TVs to monitor you, and the situation regarding escaping is rather bleak.

      Modern smart TVs collect data on what you watch at the chipset level.

      Your smart TV might possess more insight into your viewing patterns than you think, even if you seldom utilize its smart features. A recent privacy report from Proton cautions that many contemporary TVs discreetly gather data about all content displayed on the screen and transmit it to manufacturers, advertisers, and analytics firms.

      The concerning aspect is that eluding this tracking is increasingly challenging, as many privacy settings are hidden deep within the menus or are activated by default. Proton asserts that purchasing a smart TV today frequently entails consenting to a level of surveillance that most individuals never intentionally agreed to.

      How do smart TVs monitor your viewing choices?

      Smart TVs use a technology known as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). Rather than merely tracking the content streamed via built-in applications, ACR recognizes nearly everything displayed on your screen. This encompasses films from streaming platforms, live TV, games from consoles, and even content from external devices connected through HDMI.

      The system generates a digital fingerprint of the content being played and matches it with extensive databases to identify it. This data can then be shared with TV manufacturers, advertisers, and data brokers to create detailed profiles of your viewing habits. ACR operates at the chipset level and is generally activated by default, which means it functions even if you've never engaged with your TV’s smart capabilities.

      Can you truly prevent your TV from tracking you?

      This is where the situation appears rather dire. Proton suggests that the easiest solution is to keep your TV completely offline and use a device you control, such as a media box or home server, connected via HDMI. If you wish to have internet access without the tracking, tools like Pi-hole can block your TV’s telemetry and advertising domains while preserving other functionalities.

      You can also deactivate ACR and other tracking features in your TV’s settings, but the options differ among brands and may not halt every form of data collection. While many TVs provide privacy settings, they are often challenging to locate, have ambiguous names, or are enabled by default, making them easy to overlook during setup.

      The conclusion is that safeguarding privacy has become increasingly challenging with connected devices. Smart TVs are designed to remain online, and data collection has ingrained itself into their business models. If you appreciate the convenience of built-in apps, you might have to accept some degree of tracking. If prioritizing privacy is essential, consider treating your smart TV as a regular monitor whenever possible and allow another device to manage the streaming.

      LG is taking action against smart TV apps that covertly use your TV as a proxy.

      If you own an LG smart TV, it's possible that one of your seemingly innocent apps has been secretly operating as an internet relay for external traffic. A report from KrebsOnSecurity indicates that LG is intervening to address this issue. This week, the company confirmed plans to suspend any webOS app that transforms a TV into a residential proxy node. This decision follows a report from security firm Spur, which discovered that over 42% of apps on LG's webOS store incorporate SDKs that unobtrusively reroute internet traffic through your TV. Samsung is also affected, with more than a quarter of Tizen apps containing similar code.

      The LG C6 OLED performs well right out of the box, but these adjustments enhance it even further.

      From Filmmaker Mode to shadow detail and AI Sound Pro, these settings can significantly improve performance after a month of testing the LG C6 OLED.

      The LG C6 OLED is among the best mid-range OLED TVs available currently. After a month of daily testing and usage, it became evident that the picture quality right from the box could be improved. Fortunately, you don't need professional calibration or extensive time spent navigating menus to achieve better results. A few minor tweaks can enhance cinematic quality, improve shadow details, smooth motion, and even elevate the performance of the built-in speakers. Here are the exact settings I have been using since living with the LG C6.

      Samsung’s Freestyle+ AI Smart Projector transforms any wall into your next movie screen.

      This $1,200 Samsung projector automatically adjusts your picture using AI.

      Movie night no longer necessitates a plain white wall or a complex projector setup. Samsung has introduced the Freestyle+ AI Smart Projector for $1,200 in the US, and its standout feature is the ability to make nearly any surface suitable as a screen. Whether projecting onto patterned wallpaper, a colored wall, or even a space adorned with shelves and picture frames, the projector employs AI to automatically optimize the image, enabling you to start watching with minimal hassle. This portable projector can produce a Full HD image up to 100 inches, making it an ideal companion for anything from outdoor movie nights to binge-watching sessions in your bedroom.