Just How Big Of A Privacy Risk Does Your Smart TV Pose?
One new study indicates that AI is only making the problem worse.
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Subscribe for free to get more stories like this directly to your inboxLike a host of other common products infused with the latest technology, there are various so-called connected TVs — also called “CTVs” or “smart TVs” — on the market that promise to make our lives simpler.
But must consumers trade their privacy for that convenience? One new study suggests exactly that.
They’re only getting smarter
Up to this point, smart TVs have helped streamline the cultural shift from cable and satellite to streaming platforms. The plug-and-play design of most modern CTVs make it a breeze to start watching your favorite content even as they continue to become more affordable.
As new capabilities (particularly those powered by artificial intelligence) start creeping into smart TVs, however, privacy advocates warn that there could be a host of negative consequences for consumers.
According to research outlined in a recent Center for Digital Democracy report, the time has come for decisive action to prevent improper invasions into users’ private data.
A call for added regulations
In its report, the CDD called on several government agencies — including the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission — to conduct investigations into common practices within the smart TV industry.
Specifically, the researchers warned of a “privacy nightmare” related to, among other things:
- Private health information used for pharmaceutical ads
- Tracking personal data for use by political campaigns
- Potential discrimination against specific communities
As you might have guessed, a fundamental motivation for implementing these high-tech trackers involves making more money from advertisers. Using sensitive information to deliver personalized ads might be profitable, but CDD says the downside for consumers is too steep to ignore.
Since CTVs are only minimally regulated, the agency says clear new policies related to consumer privacy protection could help prevent personal data from being compromised on such a massive scale.
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