Smart TV Privacy Risks

What Is a Smart TV?

If your TV can be connected to the Internet, it’s considered a smart TV. These devices allow users to stream shows and movies, run apps, play music, and even shop online. Certain TV brands even include virtual assistant services that help users search for the movies, apps, and shows they’re looking for.

Smart TVs can be great for families because they are so customizable. Parental controls are easy to set and each person watching can have their own profile of acceptable programs and apps. Some families even use their TVs for video chatting thanks to built-in microphones and cameras. Smart TVs can pair with smart phones, making it easy to cast photos and videos for easy viewing. These devices are loaded with attractive features and the convenience of being able to use so many streaming services have made them incredibly popular.

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Can a Smart TV be Hacked?

A smart TV is connected to the Internet and uses a broad array of software applications. This can make them vulnerable to security issues that can be exploited by hackers and criminals. The same privacy issues that are present in smartphones and computers can be present in smart TVs.

Some smart TVs can connect to other devices in an IoT-enabled smart home, like lights and locks. Others act as a sort of command center for your smart devices, and while this is convenient, it can create problems if you’re targeted by a criminal. If a criminal can gain access to your smart TV, they can access other devices that share the same network, like your phone or laptop.

Smart TV Privacy & Security Tips

You might think it silly to worry about securing your smart TV, but it’s not. The FBI released a statement¹ encouraging owners of smart products, including TVs, to take precautions against hackers. Their recommendations include:

• Doing research before purchasing a smart TV. Search the model you want to buy along with terms about privacy, camera, and microphones. Learn about its security risks before going to the store. When setting up your TV, choose the most restrictive settings and opt out of things like data sharing.
• Changing the default password in your smart TV to one that is unique and long. Consult these password tips if you’re having trouble.
• Check the TV’s privacy policy and become familiar with the privacy policies of any apps or streaming services that you regularly use. Learn what kind of data is collected and what is done with that data. In the event of a network breach, any data stored on your smart TV could be vulnerable.
• Ensure that your smart TV’s software is regularly updated. Patches and updates are frequently available and can help to reduce security risks. If you’re running out-of-date software, you might be vulnerable to malware, viruses, and hacking. If you can turn on automatic updates for your smart TV, you should do so.
• Use multiple networks within your home for your smart devices. Keep private, sensitive data on your laptop and phone on a separate network from other IoT devices like fridges and thermostats. Make sure these networks have strong security in place.
• Disable your camera and microphone when they’re not actively in use in your smart TV. Putting a piece of black tape over the TV’s camera is a simple, low-tech solution.

If you feel as though your smart TV has been compromised and that you are a victim of cyber fraud, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.