Attention Black Friday shoppers! Did you treat yourself to a Smart TV this holiday season? Well according to a recent warning from the FBI, your new telly has an internet connection and can be used to hack your home network. (1) Happy Holidays!
If you think about it, it’s not all that surprising. And with tech like Alexa practically old news at this point, the concept of being “always-on” is nothing new. Still, it’s disconcerting to think of the ways that creative hackers could meddle in your life if they wanted to. Also disconcerting is the fact that this is just the wave of the future: Smart technology that raises all kinds of privacy questions.
Not-So-Smart TV
These TVs are equipped with cameras, microphones, and some even have facial recognition technology. They are also poorly secured by their manufacturers, the FBI warned. “Beyond the risk that your TV manufacturer and app developers may be listening and watching you, that television can also be a gateway for hackers to come into your home,” the warning states. (2)
Why aren’t the manufacturers being held to a higher standard? Why aren’t they required to protect your privacy? Because they aren’t. The preservation of our privacy, more and more, is on each and every one of us. It’s up to us to protect ourselves.
The FBI warning continues: TVs and technology are a big part of our lives, and they aren’t going away. So how can you protect your family? (2)
- Know exactly what features your TV has and how to control those features. Do a basic Internet search with your model number and the words “microphone,” “camera,” and “privacy.”
- Don’t depend on the default security settings. Change passwords if you can – and know how to turn off the microphones, cameras, and collection of personal information if possible. If you can’t turn them off, consider whether you are willing to take the risk of buying that model or using that service.
- If you can’t turn off a camera but want to, a simple piece of black tape over the camera eye is a back-to-basics option.
- Check the manufacturer’s ability to update your device with security patches. Can they do this? Have they done it in the past?
- Check the privacy policy for the TV manufacturer and the streaming services you use. Confirm what data they collect, how they store that data, and what they do with it.
Be Smarter Than Your Smart TV
As we move into the future, with devices in our homes that are always connected to the internet, we’ll need to be mindful of what our rights to privacy are. We will need to constantly be vigilant about what information we are giving away, what “cyber doors” we are leaving open… what ways our security may be compromised… and take appropriate action for ourselves. It’s going to be up to us to close those doors, and to arm ourselves with knowledge. Not just where our rights are concerned, but our responsibilities too.
Look again at that FBI’s list above, and notice all the ways you must take responsibility for your own privacy. Do your research. Don’t depend on default settings. Put tape over your camera. Know what data is being collected.
Yes, this is truly an amazing time we’re living in. Smart TVs can provide many benefits, not the least of which is the ability to just speak your commands instead of finding an eensy-weensy button, never mind the whole remote control. But there’s always a trade-off. You might be completely OK with relinquishing certain aspects of your privacy in favor of voice commands. But the time we’re living in demands that you do the research for yourself. Know exactly what you’re giving up in order to get that “TV: volume up!” rush, and if you’re good with it, fire away.