I was pretty surprised by this one. I assumed all the Smart TV manufacturers were doing this. Given the target market for Vizio I dont see this having any impact on their sales.
No mention of Sony smart TVs but when I set mine up I was asked if I wanted to share usage data, which I declined. Samsung's voice recording feature would worry me more than the companies knowing what TV show I watched, not that I want that information available either.
The problem that I have with the whole TV tracking is that it can open the door to other forms of deanonymization. Just take the netflix debacle (http://www.securityfocus.com/news/11497) where data was deanonymized. I have a Samsung Smart TV, however, the privacy concerns are irrelevant to me as I never connected it to a network.
I have several smart TV's in the house too. Even without a known connection to your router, could the wireless be activated from "nearby" and then its a listening tool? ---- Just tin foil hat stuff. I don't feel like that stuff happens, but sometimes my mind goes there. I have Satellite systems running and I am almost certain my viewing "habits" are collected and there is nothing I can do about it unless I want to give up the satellite, which I don't.
It's not just Smart TV's WiFi that collects personal data and your viewing habits, your cable set-top box does too. https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...able-box-data-without-full-user-consent.shtml
I wish I had been born in 2000 or later. Then none of this **** pulled by private companies (let alone the Government) would bother me. But I'm too old, I remember companies being put out of business or crippled by these heinous crimes. I remember the Justice Dept or FBI sweeping in & taking out the execs in handcuffs doing the public perp walks. I remember this happening a lot the NEXT day after a 60 Minutes broadcast. I remember people jumping out of their shoes when Mike Wallace put a microphone in their face. I LOVE the USA. I still believe there is more personal freedom in the USA than anywhere else. I am proud & pleased of the progress albeit SLOWLY through the 1960'- 70's that we were making. But this this ever faster slide starting about 30 years ago. This ....
I would usually just append my above post. But I wanted this post to stand alone. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/pre...illion-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent That's like fining the average consumer a penny. Once again I am dismayed at a weak fine/settlement with a business.
