Smart TVs are cheaper than ever — partly because many of them make money from your viewing data. Using a technology called automatic content recognition (ACR), many TVs can identify what's on your screen (even from cable, antenna or a game console) and use it for ads and recommendations.
The good news: you can turn most of it off in a few minutes.
Menu names change with software updates. If you can't find a setting, look under Settings → General, Support, Privacy or Terms & Policies.
Samsung
- Settings → General & Privacy → Terms & Privacy (or Support → Terms & Policies)
- Turn off Viewing Information Services
- Turn off Interest-Based Advertisement
- Review Voice Recognition settings
LG
- Settings → General → System → Additional Settings (or Support)
- Turn off Live Plus
- Under User Agreements, uncheck Viewing Information and Interest-Based Recommendation/advertising options
Vizio
- Settings → Admin & Privacy
- Turn off Viewing Data
- Turn off Advertising personalization options
Roku TVs
- Settings → Privacy → Smart TV Experience → turn off Use Info from TV Inputs
- Settings → Privacy → Advertising → turn on Limit Ad Tracking
Google TV (Sony, TCL, Hisense and others)
- Settings → Privacy → Ads → opt out of ads personalization / delete advertising ID
- Settings → Privacy → Usage & Diagnostics → turn off
- Some models also have a separate viewing data option from the TV maker — check Settings → System or the manufacturer's menu
Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Edition TVs
- Settings → Preferences → Privacy Settings → turn off Device Usage Data, Collect App Usage Data and Interest-based Ads
More Fire TV tips in 10 hidden Fire TV settings.
Other smart privacy tips
- Microphones: turn off voice features you don't use, or use the remote's push-to-talk only.
- Cameras: if your TV has a built-in camera, cover it or disable it.
- Accounts: you don't always need to sign in to the TV maker's account to use the TV.
- Updates: keep software updated for security fixes.
The simplest option
Don't connect the TV itself to the internet at all. Use a streaming stick for your apps instead — you get a faster experience and fewer places collecting data. If your screen goes black after connecting a stick, see how to fix HDMI "no signal".
Frequently asked questions
Do smart TVs track what you watch?
Many do, using automatic content recognition (ACR) to identify what's on screen for advertising and recommendations. You can usually turn it off in the TV settings.
What is ACR on a TV?
Automatic content recognition is technology that identifies what you're watching, including from cable boxes, antennas and game consoles.
Will turning off tracking break my TV?
No. Apps and the TV keep working. You may simply see less-personalized recommendations and ads.
Is it safer to use a streaming stick than smart TV apps?
A stick still collects some data, but using it with the TV offline limits how many companies collect viewing information, and sticks are often faster.
