PCMag – “Your internet-connected TV has Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) features that track what you watch. Here’s how to disable it, along with smart privacy advice from security experts. Smart televisions offer internet access, streaming apps, and sometimes even built-in cameras and microphones. They’re also collecting loads of personal data in order to sell it and serve up targeted ads. And because these TVs are always connected to the internet, bad actors can potentially hack your television to change channels, adjust volume levels, show inappropriate content to children, or use the camera and microphone to spy on you or listen to your conversations. At worst, they could even use this access to find a backdoor into your router and hack your connected smart home. A few years back, the FBI issued a warning about the risks of smart TVs to your privacy, and offered several recommendations. The agency also noted that TV manufacturers and app developers have the ability to listen to and watch you. This all sounds like the worst type of nightmare scenario, but it shouldn’t make you afraid to use your smart TV. The FBI offers a few guidelines and best practices to better ensure your security and privacy:

• Know exactly what features your TV has and how to control them. Do a basic internet search with your model number and the words “microphone,” “camera,” and “privacy.”
• Don’t depend on default security settings. Change passwords if you can—and know how to turn off the microphones, cameras, and collection of personal information, if possible. If you can’t turn them off, consider whether you’re willing to take the risk of buying that model or using that service.
• If you can’t turn off a camera but still want to disable it, a simple piece of black tape over the camera eye is a back-to-basics option.
• Check the manufacturer’s ability to update your device with security patches. Can it do this? Has it done it in the past?
• Check the privacy policy for the TV manufacturer and the streaming services you use. Confirm what data they collect, how they store that data, and what they do with it…”