Your smart TV is essentially a large computer connected to your home network and the internet. Like any connected device, it collects data, communicates with remote servers, and could potentially be a security vulnerability. This guide explains what smart TVs collect, how to protect your privacy, and security best practices for Australian households.
Understanding What Smart TVs Collect
Modern smart TVs gather more information than many owners realise. Understanding what's collected helps you make informed decisions about what to enable or disable.
Types of Data Collection
Automatic Content Recognition (ACR): This technology analyses what's displayed on your screen—whether from streaming apps, antenna, or external devices—to identify what you're watching. Manufacturers use this data for targeted advertising and audience measurement. ACR works by capturing small samples of on-screen content and matching them against databases.
Viewing History: Smart TV platforms track which apps you use, what content you watch within those apps, how long you watch, and at what times. This information builds a profile of your viewing habits.
Voice Data: If your TV has voice control features, voice recordings may be transmitted to cloud servers for processing. Some TVs maintain always-on microphones for wake-word detection.
Usage Analytics: TVs collect data about feature usage, settings changes, software crashes, and general interaction patterns to improve their products.
🇦🇺 Australian Privacy Law
Under the Australian Privacy Act, companies must have a privacy policy explaining what data they collect and how it's used. Smart TV manufacturers are required to provide clear disclosure, though finding and understanding these policies can be challenging. The ACCC has expressed concerns about smart TV data practices and continues monitoring the industry.
Privacy Settings by Platform
Each smart TV platform handles privacy settings differently. Here's how to find and adjust privacy controls on major platforms sold in Australia.
Samsung Tizen TVs
Navigate to Settings → General → Privacy. Key settings to review:
- Viewing Information Services: Controls ACR functionality—disable to stop content tracking
- Interest-Based Advertisements: Disable to reduce targeted advertising
- Voice Recognition Services: Review or disable voice data collection
LG webOS TVs
Go to Settings → General → Additional Settings → User Agreements. Options include:
- Live Plus: LG's ACR feature—disable if you don't want viewing tracked
- Personalised Advertising: Controls ad targeting based on viewing data
- Voice Information: Manage voice data collection settings
Google TV/Android TV
Access Settings → Privacy. Review these areas:
- Ads: Reset advertising ID or opt out of ad personalisation
- Usage & Diagnostics: Control what data Google receives about TV usage
- Google Assistant: Manage voice recording storage and history
Sony, TCL, and Hisense
These manufacturers typically use Google TV or Android TV, so follow the Google TV instructions above. Some may have additional manufacturer-specific privacy settings in separate menu areas—check your TV's user manual for model-specific guidance.
Disabling ACR Completely
If you want to prevent your TV from tracking what you watch across all sources, disabling ACR is the most important step. However, be aware that some smart features may be reduced without ACR data.
đź’ˇ The Trade-Off
Disabling ACR may affect features like content recommendations and some interactive services. However, streaming app recommendations (Netflix suggesting shows, etc.) typically work independently using each app's own tracking, unaffected by TV-level ACR settings.
Additional Steps
Beyond privacy settings, consider these measures:
- Decline optional agreements during initial setup when possible
- Don't link unnecessary accounts to your TV
- Review and delete voice history if voice features are enabled
- Check privacy settings after software updates—they sometimes reset
Network Security Best Practices
Your smart TV is only as secure as the network it's connected to. Implementing good network security protects all your connected devices, including your TV.
Secure Your Home Wi-Fi
- Use WPA3 encryption: If your router and TV support it, WPA3 provides the strongest protection. WPA2 is acceptable if WPA3 isn't available.
- Strong password: Use a unique, complex password for your Wi-Fi network—at least 12 characters with mixed types.
- Regular router updates: Keep router firmware updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Change default admin credentials: Never leave router admin login at factory defaults.
Consider Network Segmentation
Many modern routers support creating a separate guest network or IoT network. Placing your smart TV (and other smart home devices) on a separate network from your computers and phones adds a layer of protection. If a smart device is compromised, the attacker can't easily access your primary devices.
⚠️ Public DNS Considerations
Some users configure their router to use privacy-focused DNS services, which can block certain tracking domains. However, some smart TVs are configured to bypass router DNS settings and use hardcoded DNS servers. Check if your TV respects router DNS settings or if it needs additional configuration.
Voice Assistant Security
Voice-controlled features bring convenience but also privacy considerations. If your TV includes a voice assistant, understand the implications.
Always-On Microphones
TVs with wake-word detection ("Hey Google," "Alexa," etc.) have microphones that are always listening for the trigger phrase. While these typically only send audio to servers after wake-word detection, the microphone hardware is always active.
Options for Voice Privacy
- Disable voice features entirely: If you don't use voice control, turn it off
- Use button-activated voice: Some TVs allow disabling wake-word while keeping push-to-talk voice search via remote
- Review voice history: Periodically check and delete stored voice recordings in your account settings
- Physical microphone disable: Some TVs include a hardware switch to disable microphones
Keeping Your TV Secure
Software Updates
Software updates often include security patches for discovered vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates if your TV supports them, or regularly check for and install updates manually. While some users worry about updates changing features, the security benefits generally outweigh the risks.
App Security
Only install apps from your TV's official app store. Sideloading apps from other sources introduces potential security risks. Periodically review installed apps and remove any you no longer use.
Account Security
If your TV platform requires an account (Google, Samsung, LG, etc.), protect it with:
- A strong, unique password
- Two-factor authentication where available
- Regular review of account activity and connected devices
Extreme Privacy: Disconnecting Smart Features
If privacy is your paramount concern, you can use a smart TV as a "dumb" display by simply not connecting it to the internet. You lose streaming apps, voice features, and automatic updates, but eliminate data collection entirely. External streaming devices like Apple TV or Chromecast can then be used selectively while keeping the TV itself offline.
This approach is impractical for most users but worth mentioning for those with specific privacy requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Smart TVs collect viewing data through ACR technology—disable if concerned
- Review privacy settings in your TV's menu and disable unnecessary tracking
- Secure your home Wi-Fi with WPA2/WPA3 and strong passwords
- Consider placing smart devices on a separate network segment
- Disable or limit voice features if you don't actively use them
- Keep TV software updated for security patches
- Use strong, unique passwords for TV platform accounts