I bought 2 smart TVs recently and was able to turn all this BS off by simply not accepting the privacy policies during setup. Of course this means you can't use the built-in netflix apps or check for software updates or whatever but that's fine by me. I left both on my network for a period of time as well to check (via DPI) and indeed neither one was actually doing anything on the network other than pinging a software-update server every few days.

Here is how to disable it for all brands: Don't connect your TV to the internet.

Exactly. I wouldn't trust any TV where it's even an option.

If only that were a future-proof strategy. :-(

Some of the newer TVs need to be configured with internet access to even work.

I'd return it and get a different manufacturer.

Got specific examples? Bold claims require proper sources.

I just bought a new TV and found zero examples of that from any manufacturer.

Thanks for sharing this! I had to go disable this "feature" on the "Smart TV" my family has. Turned off "Viewing Information Services" and "Interest Based Advertising". It was on by default!?

On my recent LG WebOS-TV Netflix and Amazon Prime wont start anymore after that.

Great link, I still don't connect mine to the internet.

I was hoping it mentioned consoles. Does anyone know if PS4 does this and if there is a way to turn it off?