09/09/2026
Smart TVs Track You�Smart TVs collect data on your viewing habits, including the shows you watch, when you watch, how often you watch, and even your rough geographic location. This data is used to build a user profile around your tastes and is shared with manufacturers, advertisers, data brokers, and marketing companies.�How to Disable Smart TV Tracking�To disable Smart TV tracking, you need to find the "Automatic Content Recognition" (ACR) feature on your TV. The steps vary by manufacturer, but generally, you can do the following:�• Samsung TVs: Press the Home button on your remote, navigate to the settings menu in the sidebar, select "Privacy Choices," and then "Privacy Policy." Uncheck the box for "Viewing Information Services."�• LG TVs: Press the Settings button on your remote, select "Settings," then "General," "System," and "Additional Settings." Toggle off "Live Plus."�• Sony TVs: Press the Home button on your remote, select "Settings," then "Initial Setup," and select "Samba Interactive TV" and toggle it off.�• Fire TVs (Amazon, Panasonic): Press the Settings button on your remote, navigate to the "Preferences" menu, and select "Privacy Settings." Toggle off "Automatic Content Recognition."�• Vizio TVs: Press the Menu button on your remote, navigate to "System," and select "Reset & Admin." Toggle off "Viewing Data."�• Google TVs (Hisense, TCL, Sony): Press the Home button on your remote, select "Settings," then "System," and select "Privacy." Toggle off "Viewing Information Services."�• Roku TVs: From the home screen, open "Settings," select "Privacy," and then "Smart TV Experience." Toggle off "Use Info from TV Inputs."�Additional Tips�After disabling ACR, there are other things you can do to limit tracking on your TV and streaming apps. Look for menus with labels such as "Privacy," "Ads," "Data," or "Personalization." If your TV has a voice remote or other built-in voice controls, consider disabling voice recording if the option is available. Also, look for ad settings in the privacy options and limit ad tracking or disable features such as personalized ads. Lastly, always practice good security hygiene with your TVs, just as you would with any other internet-connected devices
