Fun fact: The first Compaq Portable computer shipped in 1983 and cost more than $8,400 in today’s dollars. Wow, times have changed.
Still, your computer is a significant investment, and you want it to perform well for years. Tap or click for my five-minute fix to speed up your PC.
You don’t have to deal with the same issues with your television, but one common question I get is the best method to wipe away fingerprints and dust. Tap or click for my fool-proof way to get a streak-free screen.
Unfortunately, you have to think about tracking on your TV just like on a computer or phone. Keep reading to find out how you welcomed a spy into your living room – and what you can do about it.
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Why are TVs so cheap?
Remember back in the day when a big flat-screen TV was a total luxury item?
Now, TVs come with a host of bells, whistles and smart features, and you can buy top-of-the-line models for a fraction of the price. What gives?
It’s all about the data. You already know your private information is worth big bucks. One way to stop greedy data brokers is by removing yourself from their people search sites. Tap or click for links and directions to get the job done.
Think about all your TV knows about you and your family. That data makes up for the low price of new televisions. Over time, this data farming recoups more money than they ever made on those sets.
Are you shopping for a TV? There are a lot of buzzwords and marketing terms to get you to spend more. Don’t fall for it. Here’s my shopping advice on what to skip and splurge. Spoiler: Go for 4K, not 8K.
Is it worth it? It depends
It’s hard to do much in the digital world without it being tracked, monitored, or monetized in some way. Some people work hard to find ways around that, opting to pay for extra privacy or use alternatives focused on users, not data mining.
Tap or click for six alternatives to Google search.
Others throw up their hands, saying this is the price we pay for free and cheap services and devices we rely on to run our lives.
I fall somewhere in the middle. Yes, there is some amount of tracking and data collection you must swallow if you want to use anything from a smart assistant to your inbox.
But you don’t have to approve every collection method blindly. There’s a lot you can do to take back your privacy so long as you’re willing to dive into your device’s settings. Here are three quick privacy fixes you can do in a couple of minutes.
When it comes to your TV, here’s where to start.
Stop your TV from spying
Many smart TVs come equipped with cameras most people don’t realize are there. There’s not much you can do short of voiding the device’s warranty and removing it yourself. You could cover it up, but who wants electrical tape on their television screen?
Start with your smart TV’s tracking features – especially Automatic Content Recognition.
What is Automatic Content Recognition, and how do you turn it off? It’s a visual recognition feature that can identify every ad, TV show, or movie you’re playing on your TV. This includes streaming boxes, cable/over-the-air TV and even DVD and Blu-Ray players.
This data is collected and used for marketing and targeted advertising purposes. If this all sounds too creepy, there are ways to turn it off. The exact methods will depend on your TV’s brand.
Vizio
On older Vizio TV sets that use Vizio Internet Apps, go to the TV’s System and then: Reset & Admin > Smart Interactivity > Off.
On Vizio smart TVs that use the newer SmartCast system, go to System > Reset & Admin > Viewing Data > toggle it to Off.
Samsung
On newer Samsung sets, go to Settings > Support > scroll down to Terms & Policies. Here you can turn off Viewing Information Services (Samsung’s Automatic Content Recognition technology), Internet-based Advertising (for personalized ad tracking), and Voice Recognition Services.
On older Samsung smart TVs, go to the TV’s Smart Hub menu > Settings > Support > look for Terms & Policy > then disable SyncPlus and Marketing. You can disable Voice Recognition Services in this section too.
Keep in mind that turning off your Samsung TV’s Voice Recognition Services will disable its voice commands.
LG
LG’s Automatic Content Recognition technology is baked into its newer WebOS-powered smart TVs, known as LivePlus. To turn this off, go to Settings > All Settings > scroll down to General > scroll down to a setting called LivePlus > toggle it to Off.
To limit other forms of data collection on your LG smart TV, go back to Settings > All Settings > scroll down to General > About This TV > User Agreements > toggle Personalized Advertising to Off.
Have a Roku, Fire TV, Sony, TCL, or anyone brand? Tap or click here for steps to disable tracking on your TV.
More steps to keep your habits private
If you’re hoping to minimize big data’s impact on your viewing experience, here are more tips to try.
• Adjust your privacy settings to limit what data your device sends back to the manufacturer.
• Disable voice control. This may stop your TV from analyzing conversations to listen for the wake word or commands.
• Avoid free apps and channels. A mix of ads and data collection generally supports these.
• Consider what your streaming services and devices track too. Tap or click to see what Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and all the rest collect and how to adjust your settings.
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Keep your tech-know going
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK: Cruel TikTok scam, Seattle vs. social media, Airbnb update
Plus, teens are diagnosing themselves with serious illnesses they found on TikTok, get better sleep with these podcasts, and sign that your phone or computer is infected with a keylogger. Oh, and men, stop putting your smartphone in your pants pocket!
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
