The best thing to do is not support this immoral garbage through apathy or ignorance.
I'm not saying they wouldn't do it but I'd prefer some proof before judging them (without having to shell out to be the guinea pig).
If you're really concerned about proof, just go to a hifi store and turn on your mobile hotspot without a password - I bet you could get a TV somewhere to connect with minimal effort.
https://web.archive.org/web/20190521054343/https://www.reddi...
The reason there are likely so few reports is because a)open wifi networks are very rare b)you can't really tell that the TV has done it, until it shows its hand (as in the case above, notifying the user that it auto-updated itself.)
If it’s not showing you ads, it might not be connected. It could still be connected and performing all sorts of shenanigans without necessarily showing you any ads.
When we have proof of one manufacturer connecting to an open wi-fi network to send its snooping data, we’ll have a a reckoning on our hands. I guarantee it.
Wireless networking is something I usually avoid in a technical capacity, but this seems like something worth messing around with (and reporting back on).
Then she sat down nearby and used her iPhone. Immediately a message popped up on the monitor telling her it had detected her iPhone and did she want to set up some app or remote thing
It was incredibly creepy and I imagine it was implemented by scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices
Yes, this should not be necessary, but actual legislated protections for this kind of behaviour don't exist, and aren't even being discussed at any high-enough level that makes it appear that action may be closer than a decade away (unless maybe in Europe, in which case may be only five years away).
I personally use an Apple TV for this, but in general this can be frustrating for users that just want their Smart TV to work without spying on them or implementing centrally triggered scheduled obsolescence.
This is a bit like saying you should "never" turn on your new car's engine and should immediately swap it out for a third-party one, because every knows Manufacturer X leaves ticking time bombs in their engines.
This is why consumer protection agencies are created by governments!
I don’t think it’s at all like that.
If anything, it’s more like saying don’t use your car’s built-in navigation, and instead, use another connected device for navigation.
The engine is a critical part of a car — without it, it can’t function. Period.
A TV doesn’t have to be smart to operate it, and you can’t buy a TV without it, even though it’s 100% not necessary, especially if you already have another device for that.
Again, it’s like cars with navigation — completely unnecessary, especially if you have another device for that.
Imo nothing beats a laptop with a wireless mouse and keyboard. So much better than a shitty remote. Browsers and Google are familiar. Can also do games. Can access whatever sites you want or things the smart device wouldn’t approve of. All of these devices like Apple TV and fire sticks seem pretty dumb to me.
Cost of chromecast+remote: $30
Cost of secondhand laptop + wireless keyboard/mouse: $250
To me it’s an obvious choice.
- Most people don't know what they're missing re: clunky interface controls
- Most people want a single feature-complete device that doesn't take up an HDMI port or require another set of cables to connect (yes, that's trivial, even enjoyable, for 'us', but 'they' are not 'us').
Enjoy them while they last (see Part III): https://www.natlawreview.com/article/fifth-circuit-decision-...
I also had a Fire Stick and a Roku but refused to keep using them after reading their privacy policies (their UIs are also complete and utter trash, they are so terrible compared to Apple TV)
I think the advice to never allow a screen to connect to Wi-Fi is reasonable, and I tell my family the same. In the past I have give them old Apple TVs or help them set one up to ensure that they are not allowing spyware on their network
Agreed that this needs to be handled by government, as the level of data abuse by these companies is unacceptable
If all you want is a TV (as in, connecting to an antenna and tuning to over-the-air channels), you don't need any "smarts".
(The main difference between a TV and a monitor is that a TV has a tuner, while a monitor doesn't.)