Samsung Warns Customers To Think Twice About What They Say Near Smart TVs

[SecularMotion]

In a troubling new development in the domestic consumer surveillance debate, an investigation into Samsung Smart TVs has revealed that user voice commands are recorded, stored, and transmitted to a third party. The company even warns customers not to discuss personal or sensitive information within earshot of the device.

This is in stark contrast to previous claims by tech manufacturers, like PlayStation, who vehemently deny their devices record personal information, despite evidence to the contrary, including news that hackers can gain access to unencrypted streams of credit card information.

The new Samsung controversy stems from the discovery of a single haunting statement in the company’s “privacy policy,” which states:

Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party.

http://www.activistpost.com/2016/02/samsung-warns-customers-to-think-twice-about-what-they-say-near-smart-tvs.html

[Wilms]

1. ^

[Orrex]

2. Does this mean that my conversation on Friday somehow led to Scalia's death on Saturday?

[Helen Borg]

3. Please, come with us, sir.

You are now a person if interest...

[Karma13612]

4. You've got to be kidding me. This is beyond scary. Eom

[NightWatcher]

5. Yo Skeeter, pass the bong, it's my turn.

Don't the tvs have cameras too?

I'm already so paranoid that I put electrical tape over my laptop camera so ....

[Green Texan]

8. I do the same

At this point I wouldn't consider you paranoid, you're right in doing that. Anyone can hack into your computer and turn the camera on your laptop on, and record you without you knowing.

[Holly_Hobby]

11. I used black nail polish n/t

[krispos42]

6. Well, the mic has to transmit the voice to a computer...

...to interpret what was said and act on the command.

This was one aspect of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and onward that I didn't like.

[Ed Suspicious]

7. Holy fuck! 1984 wasn't a "to-do list." I mean, I never read it that way.

[FreedomRain]

9. It looks like you would need to have voice command enabled.

I have a Samsung STV, and I don't--mostly because I hate when it misunderstands, and also feel silly talking to myself.

If someone knows more about it and can verify it would be appreciated.

[cprise]

15. l'll just bet the TV is so secure that no one can enable it for you

Have a look at these Internet-connected "security cams"...

[FreedomRain]

16. good point about hacking

Thank you.

I would still like to know if it is "always on", if anyone does.

[Octafish]

10. ''Samsung makes really great products, dear!''

"Did you see the latest Apple television? They'll have the same, soon."

"No. The name 'Mussolini' does not ring a bell."

[yuiyoshida]

12. I can certainly see Homeland security

monitoring every word people say in their living rooms.. the idea of saying something and than having the cops bust in, seems so much like.. Judge Dredd, or maybe The Fifth Element .

[hunter]

13. I don't want a "smart" television, automobile, refrigerator, or anything else...

... even the "time to clean" warning light on our ten cup coffee maker irritates me. There's no way to turn it off except to run the stupid "cleaning cycle." At least the machine doesn't demand the manufacturer's special branded coffee maker cleaning solution, but I'll bet the marketing buzzards thought about it...

[milestogo]

14. So can your TV can be called to testify against you in court?

[KamaAina]

17. "Smart TVs"? Or telescreens?

"You can turn it off!" "Yes, we have that privilege."