Learn how to disable smart TV tracking on Samsung, LG, Roku, Fire TV, and more. Step-by-step guide to turn off ACR, limit ads, and protect your privacy.
Agree - finding a "dumb" TV is really hard. Pretty sure one reason smart TVs are so affordable is they are loss leaders, with revenue made up on the backend through advertising and data collection.
Thank you so much for your very helpful and generous advice. As a non-techie consumer, I’m truly grateful when someone not only identifies problems that are built into smart technology; but, gives me strategies for maintaining my privacy.
Thank you! I appreciate all of your education on privacy. Recently I told a friend about the importance of our privacy and she just said what’s the point we’ve already signed our lives away, it’s too late. I politely explained that no you can reverse things and start protecting your privacy today and that her statement is exactly what these big tech companies want you to do. Give up, follow the herd. This topic is so important and I too look forward to more of your posts!
I can’t find how to join for free to get the newsletter. If I push the subscribe button, it gives me the two options for payment. How do I sign up for the newsletter?
Thank you so much for putting out this information and educating us.
I would suggest getting a power strip and turning off the power when not in use. This makes you more conscious of how often you have the tv on, as well as physically disables camera/voice if settings are reset. Would like to see a guide to where the cameras and mics are located by brand so they can be covered.
Thanks for the feedback. Will take another look and update the instructions.
Correct about disconnecting. That’s definitely an option. One unknown is what happens when you periodically connect for software updates. Does the TV then upload stored data?
Looking forward to part 2 where you talk about things like Roku, Apple TV, Firestick and more.
It's hard to buy a tv that isn't a smart tv anymore.
I've chosen to not connect them to my network. I use Apple TV and Roku streaming devices. Which is why I'm looking forward to part 2!
Agree - finding a "dumb" TV is really hard. Pretty sure one reason smart TVs are so affordable is they are loss leaders, with revenue made up on the backend through advertising and data collection.
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Great guide. The point about ACR working regardless of input is especially important.
A lot of people still assume external devices magically solve the problem, which they don’t.
Also glad you called out settings silently reverting after updates. That’s a very real risk people underestimate.
Smart TVs are a perfect example of how convenience quietly expands both the attack surface and the data exhaust at the same time.
Thank you for this!
Thank you so much for your very helpful and generous advice. As a non-techie consumer, I’m truly grateful when someone not only identifies problems that are built into smart technology; but, gives me strategies for maintaining my privacy.
Your welcome!
If it’s free or close to being free, as in Roku streaming services then it’s the user who IS the product. Glad I found your article today.
Yup - and glad you found us as well. Hope you stick around. 😉
Thank you! I appreciate all of your education on privacy. Recently I told a friend about the importance of our privacy and she just said what’s the point we’ve already signed our lives away, it’s too late. I politely explained that no you can reverse things and start protecting your privacy today and that her statement is exactly what these big tech companies want you to do. Give up, follow the herd. This topic is so important and I too look forward to more of your posts!
Agree 100%. And thank you!
I can’t find how to join for free to get the newsletter. If I push the subscribe button, it gives me the two options for payment. How do I sign up for the newsletter?
Thank you so much for putting out this information and educating us.
Weird. Substack might be glitching.
If you DM me your email address, I can add you manually at the free tier.
I would suggest getting a power strip and turning off the power when not in use. This makes you more conscious of how often you have the tv on, as well as physically disables camera/voice if settings are reset. Would like to see a guide to where the cameras and mics are located by brand so they can be covered.
Instructions for Apple TV do not work with tvOS 26.1.
I also assume my Sony smartTV can’t “phone-home” if I never connect it to my home WiFi network. Correct?
Thanks for the feedback. Will take another look and update the instructions.
Correct about disconnecting. That’s definitely an option. One unknown is what happens when you periodically connect for software updates. Does the TV then upload stored data?
Yeah, they're not alone here. But they are a leader.