Television Spying on user

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  • Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Nov 7, 2011
    1,229
    38
    I purchased a new Vizio TV a short time ago.
    It is fed via Comcast, TV, internet, phone.
    Last night as i was watching a program a banner appeared on screen.
    I can not tell you exactly what it stated.
    the banner stated that it is collecting data on what I am watching. it is Abbreviated "ACR" automated content record/review (Not exact).
    the four boxes stated that it collects information of what i watch and distributes it.
    it made a lot of statements I can not transcribe from memory.
    there was a small light blue box that said "agree" and small gray box that states "disagree"
    One of the four big information boxes stated. If I disagree I had to go to setting" and turn "ACR" it off.
    i COULD NOT access the two on screen boxes.
    I went through all of Comcast's memues looking for setting "ACR".
    I could not find the box.
    I called Comcast. When Comcast flashed their maintenance screen.
    The notice disappeared.
    I raised all kind of CANE about Comcast spying on my programming.
    She checked and checked. Then she asked her supervisor.
    They had no idea what I was talking about.
    I hung up waiting it the message would reappear.
    Today it did.
    I called Comcast immediately. I would not allow the Comcast computer check my system again.
    I got a tech support tech on the line.
    Again I raised all kind of cane with him.
    Again he said that Comcast does not gather customer info.
    he asked what kind of TV I had.
    I told him it was a new Vizio.
    he told me are classified as "smart TVs"
    They gather that information.
    I attempted to find "SETTING" on my Vizio remote, not there.
    I called Vizio. YES! they gather my programming information.
    I told them this is America the land of the FREE.
    They have no right to monitor what I view.
    He told me how to turn it off. Nothing like what the Bulletin stated.

    All I can say is, "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING"
     
    Last edited:

    stymie12000

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    17   0   0
    Jun 18, 2010
    191
    18
    Bripple
    Nothing on the banner told me that it was Vizio doing the snooping.

    Agreed. That got me too!. Little misleading. Kind of like when you install an app and it needs access to your phones camera, contacts, gps, microphone, etc. Most apps have no business accessing these parts of your phone. Its real scary what could happen if this information gets in the wrong hands!
     

    AngryRooster

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    18   0   0
    Apr 27, 2008
    4,591
    119
    Outside the coup
    If you`re connected to the internet, would it be your cable company gathering data, or would it be your ISP?


    Neither one, it's the TV. Vizio is one of several that do this. The TV will collect all kinds of data, what you watch, networks & shows, how long you watch, when you watch, when the TV is turned off, and other things. It builds a profile and that's sold for marketing.

    A google search will tell you all about it. I can't remember the other brands. Lots of people are pissed when they find out about it. I have a smart TV upstairs but I cleared the WiFi info from it. It's not even hooked up to anything, just a small antenna and I use the USB to watch things.
     

    JettaKnight

    Я з Україною
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    6   0   0
    Oct 13, 2010
    26,517
    113
    Fort Wayne
    ...
    I told them this is America the land of the FREE.
    They have no right to monitor what I view.
    Somewhat ironic, don't you think?


    (Someone tell Alanis Morissette this is the true meaning of irony. Irony is not a synonym for a coincidental bad occurrence.)


    All I can say is, "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING"
    You sure you weren't watching Big Brother and got confused?
    bb2016_thm_16.9_1920x1080.jpg
     

    jamil

    code ho
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 17, 2011
    60,116
    113
    Gtown-ish
    I purchased a new Vizio TV a short time ago.
    It is fed via Comcast, TV, internet, phone.
    Last night as i was watching a program a banner appeared on screen.
    I can not tell you exactly what it stated.
    the banner stated that it is collecting data on what I am watching. it is Abbreviated "ACR" automated content record/review (Not exact).
    the four boxes stated that it collects information of what i watch and distributes it.
    it made a lot of statements I can not transcribe from memory.
    there was a small light blue box that said "agree" and small gray box that states "disagree"
    One of the four big information boxes stated. If I disagree I had to go to setting" and turn "ACR" it off.
    i COULD NOT access the two on screen boxes.
    I went through all of Comcast's memues looking for setting "ACR".
    I could not find the box.
    I called Comcast. When Comcast flashed their maintenance screen.
    The notice disappeared.
    I raised all kind of CANE about Comcast spying on my programming.
    She checked and checked. Then she asked her supervisor.
    They had no idea what I was talking about.
    I hung up waiting it the message would reappear.
    Today it did.
    I called Comcast immediately. I would not allow the Comcast computer check my system again.
    I got a tech support tech on the line.
    Again I raised all kind of cane with him.
    Again he said that Comcast does not gather customer info.
    he asked what kind of TV I had.
    I told him it was a new Vizio.
    he told me are classified as "smart TVs"
    They gather that information.
    I attempted to find "SETTING" on my Vizio remote, not there.
    I called Vizio. YES! they gather my programming information.
    I told them this is America the land of the FREE.
    They have no right to monitor what I view.
    He told me how to turn it off. Nothing like what the Bulletin stated.

    All I can say is, "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING"

    No. That's not big brother. That's a company from which you bought a product from. It sounds like they give you the option to opt out. If that's not acceptable maybe you can get your money back for it.
     

    gregr

    Master
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 1, 2016
    4,300
    113
    West-Central
    Neither one, it's the TV. Vizio is one of several that do this. The TV will collect all kinds of data, what you watch, networks & shows, how long you watch, when you watch, when the TV is turned off, and other things. It builds a profile and that's sold for marketing.

    A google search will tell you all about it. I can't remember the other brands. Lots of people are pissed when they find out about it. I have a smart TV upstairs but I cleared the WiFi info from it. It's not even hooked up to anything, just a small antenna and I use the USB to watch things.

    Is this done only if you`re hooked up to the internet? Or is it done regardless?
     

    BugI02

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 4, 2013
    31,886
    149
    Columbus, OH
    I find peoples' faith that this is turned off, just because they tell you it is, to be truly charming

    The true purpose of the commercial internet is to make money off of you
     

    AngryRooster

    Master
    Rating - 100%
    18   0   0
    Apr 27, 2008
    4,591
    119
    Outside the coup
    Is this done only if you`re hooked up to the internet? Or is it done regardless?


    I'm not sure. I haven't found any articles that have analyzed the software. I've tried, just no luck. It may gather the information but unless it's hooked up it has no way to report it back. That's why I killed the internet on the one I have. I bought it before I knew about this. If I had it to do over again I would have just gotten the normal TV and saved a couple bucks.
     

    Kingpin

    Marksman
    Rating - 100%
    13   0   0
    Oct 4, 2010
    289
    18
    Grant County
    It is all about marketing and to target the customers, they want to make money and then more money by selling your info to companies just like the computer does and the cell phones.It would scare us to death if we knew everything that we liked and disliked, where we go in our cars and cameras everywhere .
     

    jamil

    code ho
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 17, 2011
    60,116
    113
    Gtown-ish
    Is this done only if you`re hooked up to the internet? Or is it done regardless?

    If it can't connect to the internet, no. It can't communicate. If you're worried about it sending data that Visio model 123, s/n xyz powered on at 6:57AM and tuned to FNC until 11:59PM, at which time it then powered off, then disconnect it from the internet. If you have it connected wirelessly, then go into your network settings on the TV, and disconnect it.
     

    BugI02

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 4, 2013
    31,886
    149
    Columbus, OH
    IANAexpert, but it would seem if you stream content (as in Netflix etc) directly to TV (hence smart TV) then it has to have connection authority through any firewall. Nothing preventing it from sending data on you to aggregator at that time
     

    actaeon277

    Grandmaster
    Site Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Nov 20, 2011
    92,845
    113
    Merrillville
    I find peoples' faith that this is turned off, just because they tell you it is, to be truly charming

    The true purpose of the commercial internet is to make money off of you

    Unless you are completely free of electronic, I don't see how you can say that.
    Any electronics can spy on you, and they can tell you it's "just a radio", but how do you know.
    Unless it's a radio you built, or one made of old fashioned discrete components.
     
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