By LankaFix Tech Tips & Trends
– Because privacy begins at home.
In the era of binge-watching and voice commands, Smart TVs have become the new norm in Sri Lankan homes. But behind the stunning 4K visuals, smooth streaming, and smart apps, there’s an unsettling truth:
Your Smart TV might be watching you back — and collecting more data than you realize.
From Samsung and LG to Android-based brands like Xiaomi, Sony, TCL, and Hisense, many smart TVs track your viewing behavior, location, device usage, and even voice activity.
This guide exposes how Smart TVs might be spying on you, what they collect, and how to stop it — especially for Sri Lankan households in 2025.
🕵️♂️ What Kind of Data Does a Smart TV Collect?
| Type of Data Collected | What It Means for You |
| 👀 Viewing habits | Tracks what shows, apps, channels you watch |
| 🎤 Voice commands | Stores or transmits your spoken inputs (if voice-enabled) |
| 📡 Network/device info | Maps devices on your home network |
| 📍 Location data (IP-based) | Estimates your area or ISP |
| 🔗 App usage & interactions | What you click, pause, rewind, skip |
| 📷 Camera/microphone (some models) | May activate without consent (rare, but possible) |
🔎 Many TVs use a technique called ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) — it scans what’s playing on screen (including DVDs or HDMI input), not just the apps.
⚠️ Real Privacy Risks in 2025
- Targeted Ads: Your watch habits are sold to 3rd-party advertisers
- Cross-device profiling: TV shares behavior with your phone or smart speaker
- Security flaws: Hackers can exploit unpatched firmware
- Microphone access: Some TVs can “wake up” when they hear trigger words
📌 In 2023, several LG and Samsung models were reported to send data every few seconds to their servers — even when idle.
(Source: Consumer Reports, Privacy International)
🇱🇰 Why It Matters for Sri Lankan Users
- 📡 Most users don’t configure privacy settings after first setup
- 🔄 Many buy Smart TVs from grey markets without firmware updates
- 🧓 Seniors & children use smart remotes without understanding data risks
- ⚠️ Our homes now have multiple smart devices — from phones to cameras to TVs
🔧 How to Stop Your Smart TV from Spying on You
✅ 1. Disable ACR (Automatic Content Recognition)
Samsung TVs (Tizen OS):
- Settings → Support → Terms & Policies
- Turn OFF:
- Viewing Information Services
- Voice Recognition Services
- Interest-Based Ads
LG TVs (webOS):
- Settings → All Settings → General → About This TV → User Agreements
- Uncheck:
- Viewing Info
- Personal Ads
- AI Voice Collection
Android TV / Google TV:
- Settings → Device Preferences → Usage & Diagnostics
- Turn OFF sharing usage data
- Also go to Settings → Google → Ads → Opt out of Ads Personalization
✅ 2. Restrict Internet Access (Router Firewall or Manual)
If you’re using the TV only for HDMI or YouTube:
- Block the TV’s MAC address or IP via your router firewall
- Or disconnect Wi‑Fi completely when not in use
🧠 Use a smart plug to cut power automatically after a certain time
✅ 3. Disable Voice Recognition
If your remote has a mic:
- Unpair it or disable voice control in TV settings
- Check if there’s a physical mic mute button (some remotes have it)
🎙️ Note: Voice recordings can be stored on cloud servers if not disabled
✅ 4. Don’t Log in with Google, Samsung, or LG Accounts (unless needed)
Avoid syncing:
- Contacts
- Calendar
- Google Assistant
- Gmail or Drive
Use limited guest accounts where available, and avoid voice-based search setup unless necessary.
✅ 5. Turn Off Camera & Microphone (if present)
Some TVs (mostly high-end models) come with built-in cameras/mics for:
- Video calls
- Motion gestures
- Facial recognition
Disable them from the system settings or cover physically with tape if unsure.
🛑 If your TV didn’t come with a camera, don’t plug in external webcams unless needed.
✅ 6. Always Perform Firmware Updates
New updates may patch privacy bugs and fix vulnerabilities.
Go to:
- Settings → Support → Software Update → Check for updates
- Do this monthly or after a major privacy report release
✅ 7. Read Privacy Policy Before Setup (Yes, Really!)
Look for:
- Terms like “data sharing”, “third-party advertisers”, “user behavior tracking”
- How long data is retained and whether it’s encrypted
🧠 If possible, choose brands that are transparent and allow data opt-out at setup.
🛡️ BONUS: Set Up a Smart Home with Privacy in Mind
| Tip | How it Helps |
| Use a separate Wi‑Fi network for Smart Devices | Stops data crossover from phones/laptops |
| Enable router-level firewall | Blocks unwanted background tracking |
| Power-cycle your TV weekly | Clears memory, resets network cache |
| Choose open-source streamers (e.g., Kodi) | More control, fewer trackers |
🔎 Popular Privacy-Friendly TV Brands (2025 Ranking)
| Brand | Privacy Control Level | Notes |
| Sony (Google TV) | High (full opt-outs) | Google account required, but customizable |
| LG (webOS) | Moderate | Still sends anonymized usage data unless disabled |
| Samsung (Tizen) | Moderate | Some settings buried deep |
| Xiaomi / Realme | Low | Heavy tracking unless manually configured |
| Roku / TCL | Very Low | Most aggressive in ad tracking |
🟢 LankaFix Tip: Always choose TVs with transparent setup screens offering data control.
🧠 Final Thought
Just because it’s a “smart” device doesn’t mean it respects your privacy.
Your Smart TV could be your personal cinema… or a digital spy in your living room. By taking a few simple steps, you can enjoy modern entertainment without sacrificing your digital freedom.
Own the screen — don’t let it own you.
📚 Sources
- Consumer Reports: How Smart TVs Track You
- Privacy International – Connected Devices
- Google TV Privacy Settings Help
- Samsung Global Privacy Policy
- LankaFix Internal Device Research (2023–2025)
📞 Need help configuring privacy settings on your Smart TV?
Visit www.lankafix.com or call 071 988 8848
We’ll guide you remotely or send a tech to set it up safely.
