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IDemo

(16,926 posts)
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 04:57 PM Mar 2012

Is your TV watching you? Latest models raise concerns

Samsung’s 2012 top-of-the-line plasmas and LED HDTVs offer new features never before available within a television including a built-in, internally wired HD camera, twin microphones, face tracking and speech recognition. While these features give you unprecedented control over an HDTV, the devices themselves, more similar than ever to a personal computer, may allow hackers or even Samsung to see and hear you and your family, and collect extremely personal data.

While Web cameras and Internet connectivity are not new to HDTVs, their complete integration is, and it's the always connected camera and microphones, combined with the option of third-party apps (not to mention Samsung's own software) gives us cause for concern regarding the privacy of TV buyers and their friends and families.

Samsung has not released a privacy policy clarifying what data it is collecting and sharing with regard to the new TV sets. And while there is no current evidence of any particular security hole or untoward behavior by Samsung's app partners, Samsung has only stated that it "assumes no responsibility, and shall not be liable" in the event that a product or service is not "appropriate."

Samsung demoed these features to the press earlier this month. The camera and microphones are built into the top if the screen bezel in the 2012 8000-series plasmas and are permanently attached to the top of the 7500- and 8000ES-series LED TVs. A Samsung representative showed how, once set up and connected to the Internet, these models will automatically talk to the Samsung cloud and enable viewers to use new and exciting apps.

http://www.technolog.msnbc.msn.com/technology/technolog/your-tv-watching-you-latest-models-raise-concerns-483619

"In Soviet Union,television watches you." - Yakov Smirnoff

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Is your TV watching you? Latest models raise concerns (Original Post) IDemo Mar 2012 OP
So if you're beating your meat to the Playboy channel, someone is watching? rfranklin Mar 2012 #1
likely it's this guy watching. provis99 Mar 2012 #8
Geez, that's like reverse Viagra... rfranklin Mar 2012 #10
LOL Mr Dixon Mar 2012 #20
Masking tape Richardo Mar 2012 #2
yep. and i would suggest anyone with one in their computer arely staircase Mar 2012 #4
Masking tape doesn't really mask a microphone all that well. (NT) Heywood J Mar 2012 #15
Teescreens nadinbrzezinski Mar 2012 #3
Ours uses the rabbit ear operating system IDemo Mar 2012 #5
I will never buy a TV with a camera for that reason Initech Mar 2012 #6
ok, scratch samsung tvs off quinnox Mar 2012 #7
Young Turks covered it pokerfan Mar 2012 #9
Know when your tv is connected to the internet. LiberalFighter Mar 2012 #11
Unplug it. hobbit709 Mar 2012 #16
Don't need to unplug it. Just break the internet connection. LiberalFighter Mar 2012 #17
By the mustache of Orwell! nt raouldukelives Mar 2012 #12
If it is, it's seen some pretty unsavory stuff. montanto Mar 2012 #13
I've been kind of worrying about that w/ my Samsung tablet Matariki Mar 2012 #14
Niche marketing to exhibitionists? KurtNYC Mar 2012 #18
Why would you buy a tv with a camera in it HappyMe Mar 2012 #19
TV or Telescreen? ipfilter Mar 2012 #21
 

rfranklin

(13,200 posts)
1. So if you're beating your meat to the Playboy channel, someone is watching?
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 04:58 PM
Mar 2012

That's pretty exciting!

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
3. Teescreens
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 05:09 PM
Mar 2012

And big brother. I love my ancient tv for that reason alone. It gives fits to the cable techs, but so be it.

IDemo

(16,926 posts)
5. Ours uses the rabbit ear operating system
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 05:13 PM
Mar 2012

CRT (no flat-screen), no cable or dish, and we have to walk uphill both ways through three feet of snow to change the channel!

 

quinnox

(20,600 posts)
7. ok, scratch samsung tvs off
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 05:16 PM
Mar 2012

I see no reason to get a tv with a built in camera pointing out for any reason. This shit is starting to get surreal.

LiberalFighter

(50,783 posts)
11. Know when your tv is connected to the internet.
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 05:47 PM
Mar 2012

Might be an idea to see if there is a device that will alert you if you are being monitored via the tv.

Matariki

(18,775 posts)
14. I've been kind of worrying about that w/ my Samsung tablet
Mon Mar 19, 2012, 05:58 PM
Mar 2012

it has a camera on each side that I'm always vaguely paranoid about. It didn't help that one of their commercials showed a 'happy user' from the perspective of the device - as if they were being filmed 24/7.

KurtNYC

(14,549 posts)
18. Niche marketing to exhibitionists?
Tue Mar 20, 2012, 09:30 AM
Mar 2012

"Now you can be an exhibitionist in the privacy of your own home!"

"Exhibitionism has never been EASIER! Samsung!"

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