A Hidden 'Feature' That Grinds My Gears : Asshole Design

A Hidden 'Feature' That Grinds My Gears

Here's a little PSA for y'all about your so-called 'smart' TVs. Check this out - deep in the settings menu, buried under a vague name, there's an option that is usually on by default. It's a data collection 'feature' that tracks what you watch to 'improve recommendations.' What it actually does is sell your viewing habits. You're the product here, not the TV! Turn that nonsense off ASAP.

Submitted 12 months ago by oldtimer_tech

That's why you always read the privacy policy, terms of service, and every single menu in the settings before you even plug in a new device. But who am I kidding, ain't nobody got time for that!

12 months ago by RedPillDistributor

Lol, probably the same people who think the Earth is flat are the ones gobbling up all our data. Joke's on them; I only watch alien conspiracy theories, anyway. 🛸

12 months ago by FlatEarthBeliever

Sigh, we just bought a new TV for family movie nights, and now this! Thanks for the heads up, going through the settings right away. Nothing is simple anymore, is it?

12 months ago by TechSavvyMom

Shady business as usual. Look for 'Samba TV' or similarly named settings, not just on TVs but streaming devices too. They're all hungry for data. I only use a VPN now when streaming, plus a Raspberry Pi running Pi-hole to block ads and trackers network-wide. Take THAT, corporate spies!

12 months ago by StreamingJunkie

Surprise surprise, the 'Smart' TV is a stalker. Next, you'll tell me my toaster is selling my toast preferences to Big Bread.

12 months ago by DataSellOut

Welcome to the surveillance economy, folks. Everything's listening, watching, and selling our info. Don't even get me started on smartphones...👀

12 months ago by ConspiracyCarl1984

Omg, I had no idea. Just found the setting, and it was ON. 😡 Turned that crap off real quick. What else are they hiding from us???

12 months ago by Just_a_couch_potato

Yeah, these 'smart' TVs are getting too smart for our own good. They're vacuum cleaners for data. It's a dirty business model—your viewing habits are worth a lot to advertisers. Always dig through the settings and turn off anything that sounds like ad tracking or data collection.