Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

Two U.S. senators think your TV is spying on you, ask the FTC to investigate

Bruce Brown
By

US senators Richard Blumenthal and Ed Markey want the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether internet-connected smart TVs violate viewers’ privacy, Ars Technica reported.

The New England Democratic senators wrote to FTC chairman Joseph Simons to express their concerns.

Recommended Videos

“While the evolution of the smart TV has ushered in a new era of innovation and interactivity, we must ensure that these technological advancements do not come at the expense of our privacy. We request that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continue its previous work on smart TVs and launch an investigation into the privacy policies and practices of smart TV manufacturers.”

Related

Existing cable and satellite TV privacy laws don’t apply to internet-connected TVs. Congress requires that cable operators and satellite carriers detail clearly how they collect and use viewer data and obtain explicit viewer consent ahead of time. However, laws that date back to 1984 did not foresee internet television connectivity and the potential for data companies to track user viewing activity via smart TVs.

Additional articles about user privacy

Markey and Blumenthal wrote that “By identifying the broadcast and cable shows, video games, over-the-top content like Netflix, and other applications that users are viewing, smart TVs can compile detailed profiles about users’ preferences and characteristics. Recent reports even suggest that smart TVs can identify users’ political affiliations based on whether they watch conservative or liberal media outlets.”

The senators addressed an FTC investigation into smart TV manufacturer Vizio that resulted in a $2.2 million settlement over charges that the company installed software that collected data from 11 million television sets without the owners’ consent. They also referred to reports that Samba TV, a smart TV user data company, offers users the opportunity to opt into the company’s interactive TV service without spelling out what data will be collected and how it will be used.

The report about Samba TV appeared in the New York Times. A Samba TV spokesperson told the newspaper that it had revised its “opt-in language and policy.”

Noting the FTC’s recent actions, Blumenthal and Markey requested that the FTC continue the work and launch a broad investigation of privacy issues and smart TV manufacturers.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown
Contributing Editor
Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…
The U.S. military is using solar-powered balloons to spy on parts of the Midwest
Surveillance Balloon

The U.S. military is using surveillance balloons like this one to spy on the Midwest. Image used with permission by copyright holder
The U.S. military is using balloons to monitor activity across six states in the Midwest. The 25 solar-powered balloons are reportedly being used to monitor portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
The military filed a Special Temporary Authorization for the balloons with the FCC this week, according to the Guardian. The purpose of the balloons according to that filing is to "conduct high altitude MESH networking tests over South Dakota to provide a persistent surveillance system to locate and deter narcotic trafficking and homeland security threats.”
The filing was made “Sierra Nevada Corporation” which is an aerospace and defense company. The balloons are being launched from South Dakota, according to the Guardian.
The balloons are capable of tracking multiple individuals or vehicles during the day or night. They’re also already recording, so should an event happen in an area being surveilled by the balloons, they’ll be able to essentially rewind the tape and see what occurred as well as where any potential suspects might have traveled.
Tests with the balloons reportedly began in July and will continue through September. Presumably, if they're successful they might continue after that September stop date or be deployed elsewhere. The balloons travel at height of up to 65,000 feet and can adjust their location if need be to get a better view of a particular person or area or to deal with weather conditions.
The fact that we’re all being watched shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, although the fact that the surveillance is coming from giant un-manned solar-powered balloons is certainly a bit different.
The U.S. government also isn’t the biggest offender when it comes to invading privacy.  For instance, last year we wrote about new video surveillance systems in India that are using AI to detect crimes in process as well as predict a crime before it happens.
The notion of predicting crime before it happens is particularly troublesome in that it is identifying individuals and in a way accusing them of criminal behavior even though at the time they haven’t done anything.
We've reached out to the military for a comment on why this tech is being used specifically in the Midwest and will update this story if and when we hear back.

Read more
How to fix a Yale Assure Lock 2 that won’t connect to Wi-Fi
The Yale Assure Lock 2 Smart Lock Deadbolt keypad being used by someone.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is one of the best smart locks, as it's available in a variety of formats and makes it easy to keep tabs on your front door when away from home. Much of this functionality is driven by support for Wi-Fi connections on select models, as you can quickly connect the unit to your home network and access all its features via its companion mobile app.

However, some users may notice their Yale Assure Lock 2 appears offline or that it's no longer connected to Wi-Fi. It can be a frustrating issue to deal with, as a lock that's offline won't let you access its best features – meaning you'll want to get it back online as soon as possible.

Read more
Get 50% off these incredible scent diffusers to luxuriate your living space
Hotel Collection scent diffuser with unique oils on sale

An excellent and convenient way to fill your home with luxurious, aromatic scents is to employ a diffuser, an electronic device that turns perfume-like oils into mist and disperses it into the surrounding air, in this case, the air in your living space or home. Hotel Collection is our favorite place to shop for new diffusers, supplies like oils, and other notable accessories. And wouldn't you know it? Right now, they're offering 50% off large diffusers when you use code JUSTFORYOU50 at checkout. That remarkable deal allows you to save half of the biggest diffusers from Hotel Collection, like the Penthouse or the Presidential models. They offer coverage for areas from 1,200 square feet up to 6,000 square feet, which means your entire home will smell splendid. Act soon because the deal will be over before you know it.
Shop Now
 
Why you should buy a Hotel Collection scent diffuser for your home
You deserve a true sanctuary to come home to. Not just one that is clean and inviting but also smells divine, like the scent of homecooked baking, fresh linens, or . You know, the kind of encapsulating scents befitting of an elegant hotel -- only within the comfort of your home. That's precisely what Hotel Collection diffusers and scents can bring into your livable spaces.

Starting with the diffusers that make it all happen, there are a variety of options, from small, like the Studio Pro Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 600 square feet, to extra-large, like the Double Presidential Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 6,00 square feet. Whatever the size of your home, property, or living space, from condos to mansions, Hotel Collection has you covered.

Read more