Smart TVs collect and share personal data, but you can take steps to reduce tracking. Here’s how to limit data collection on popular smart TV brands and platforms.

General Tips

• Turn Off Automatic Content Recognition (ACR): This feature identifies everything you watch, even via cable, antenna, or Blu-ray. Disabling it reduces snooping.
• Reset Advertising IDs: This resets identifiers used for targeted ads, reducing tracking.
• Review User Agreements: Opt out of optional data collection and adjust privacy settings during or after setup.

1. Amazon Fire TV

• Access Settings:
• Navigate to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings.
• Turn off Device Usage Data, Collect App and Over-the-Air Usage Data, and Interest-Based Ads.

• Reset the advertising ID for further protection.

• What’s Affected:

• Turning off App and Over-the-Air Usage Data stops tracking for antenna and app usage but doesn’t affect Amazon services like Prime Video.

2. Android and Google TVs

• Access Settings:
• During setup, you can choose Basic TV (limited features) or Google TV (requires agreeing to Google’s privacy policy).
• To limit ad tracking, go to Settings > Privacy > Ads. Reset or delete the advertising ID.

• Disable personalized ads: Settings > Device Preferences > About > Legal Information.

• Note: Some brands like Hisense and Sony have additional privacy settings tied to their own ACR features, accessible under their user agreements.

3. LG TVs

• Access Settings:
• On new models: Settings > All Settings > Support > Privacy & Terms.
• Turn off Viewing Information, Voice Information, Interest-Based Advertising, and other options individually.

• Use Do Not Sell My Personal Information to limit third-party data sharing.

• Feature-Specific Details:

• Disabling Viewing Information and Aspect Privacy Policy stops ACR tracking, but limits personalized recommendations.
• Voice features require additional permissions.

4. Roku TVs

• Access Settings:
• Home > Settings > Privacy.
• Under Advertising, uncheck Personalize Ads and reset the advertising ID.

• Turn off ACR: Smart TV Experience > Use Info from TV Inputs.

• Other Options:

• Disable Microphone Access and Speech Recognition under Voice settings to prevent voice tracking.

5. Samsung TVs

• Access Settings:
• On recent models: Menu > Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > Terms & Privacy.

• Turn off Viewing Information Services and Interest-Based Ads.

• Special Features:

• Voice recognition can be managed under Privacy Center, but disabling may require navigating through additional settings.

6. Sony TVs

• Access Settings:
• For Google TVs: Adjust Google privacy settings during setup. Opt out of Sony Bravia Privacy Policy and Samba TV during setup or via Settings > System > Samba Interactive TV.

• Reset the advertising ID under Privacy settings.

• Note: Some newer models may not include Samba TV. Check for updates or prompts.

7. Vizio TVs

• Access Settings:
• During setup, decline options like Viewing Data and Activity Data.

• Post-setup: Settings > All Settings > Admin & Privacy > Viewing Data.

• What’s Tracked:

• Viewing Data tracks content from apps, antenna, and devices. Turning it off reduces tracking but may limit recommendations.
• Activity Data tracks interactions on Vizio’s SmartCast platform but isn’t shared with third parties.

Final Advice

Taking control of your smart TV’s privacy settings not only protects your personal information but also ensures you’re not unknowingly giving away data to manufacturers. Periodically review and update your settings to stay ahead of new tracking features.

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