How to stop your Roku from tracking everything you watch
Tom's Guide • • technology
Key Points:
- Roku collects extensive data on users' viewing habits, including every show watched, searches made, and channels opened, to build detailed ad profiles shared with third-party advertisers by default.
- Users can limit ad tracking by adjusting privacy settings to prevent Roku from using their viewing data for personalized ads, though individual streaming services may still collect separate data.
- Blocking microphone access in Roku settings stops channels from recording audio via voice-enabled remotes, enhancing privacy but disabling voice search and control features.
- Disabling Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) is the most effective privacy measure, as it prevents Roku from monitoring all content displayed on the TV, including from connected devices, thereby halting the most invasive data collection.
- These privacy adjustments allow users to regain control over their data without losing core Roku functionality, though some trade-offs like losing voice control may be necessary.
