Modern smart TVs can track what people watch, identify advertising showing on screen and remain partly active even while in standby mode, according to a technical investigation reported by the Romanian outlet Adevărul and analyzed by the technology news site The Verge.
The investigation found that these televisions constantly exchange data with external servers. Specialists identified the main tool behind this as automatic content recognition, or ACR technology, which works continuously: the device matches what appears on screen against a digital database, instantly identifies the film, program or advertisement being shown, and passes that information on to advertisers.
The system does not only track content from a television's own built-in apps. It also captures images transmitted through an HDMI cable, including video from a games console, an external media player or a separate tuner.
What happens in standby mode
The investigation also raised questions about standby mode. When a television is switched off using a remote control, it does not fully power down but instead switches to a power-saving state. Some system processes keep running in the background so the device can start up instantly, receive software updates and stay connected to the network. A dark screen, the investigation noted, does not mean every program inside the television has stopped running.
Microphones used for voice commands raised separate concerns. Specialists who examined the audio features on some television panels suspected they might be able to pick up sound even while the device was asleep. The manufacturer of the model examined rejected the suggestion, saying the microphone only responds within the permissions granted by the owner and that its screen-scanning algorithms are not designed to listen to conversations in the room.
How to limit data collection
Adevărul advised checking a television's privacy settings as soon as it is connected, looking for options such as Automatic Content Recognition, Viewing Data, Personalized Advertising or Voice Recognition, and switching off whichever are not needed. For those who want to cut data sharing entirely, the outlet said, disconnecting the screen from the home Wi-Fi network turns it into a simple monitor for a separate external device.
Separately, an expert previously explained why, after several house moves, he no longer mounts televisions on the wall. He said the main problem arises when several devices are connected to the television, since hiding all the cables becomes much harder. He now uses a mobile stand on wheels instead, which can be moved freely between rooms without drilling into walls.
