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You Don’t Need AI to Dumb Down Your Smart TV. Do This Instead
PCMag • • technology
Key Points:
- Nearly all modern TVs come with built-in smart platforms that collect viewing data and may spy on users through features like Automatic Content Recognition (ACR).
- Users can disable spying features by turning off ACR in privacy settings, muting or physically covering the TV’s microphone, and disabling voice assistants to prevent constant listening.
- Disconnecting the TV from Wi-Fi and using an external media streamer or physical media players allows viewing without smart features or data tracking.
- Performing a factory reset and skipping Wi-Fi setup can further ensure the TV operates without smart functions, enabling a simpler, privacy-focused viewing experience.
- While advanced AI-based projects exist to "de-smart" TVs, simpler built-in settings adjustments provide effective privacy controls without technical expertise.
