Smart TVs as data octopuses: tracking via HDMI content

Modern smart TVs have developed into real data octopuses. A new study by researchers from the USA, UK and Spain reveals how Samsung and LG TVs use comprehensive monitoring functions. These smart TVs not only evaluate picture content, but also track HDMI players. The Device tracking via HDMI is used for targeted advertising and goes far beyond what is expected.

The study shows that smart TVs regularly capture screenshots of the current program and send them to the manufacturers. Samsung takes a screenshot every 500 milliseconds, while LG does this every 10 milliseconds. This practice applies to both classic television and external devices such as games consoles connected via HDMI.

What is particularly worrying is that users have to deactivate up to eleven different options in the privacy settings to prevent their viewing habits from being recorded. The so-called "Automatic Content Recognition" (ACR) enables manufacturers to track viewing behavior and display targeted advertising.

Important findings

• Smart TVs capture screenshots and audio data for analysis
• Samsung and LG regularly send data to their servers
• HDMI devices are also tracked
• Streaming apps are less affected by data collection
• Users must take action to deactivate tracking

The evolution of smart TV monitoring

Smart TVs have developed into true data octopuses. The analysis of image content to personalize advertising is now deeply embedded in modern televisions. This practice raises questions about Data protection for networked televisions on.

According to the industry association gfu, more than half of all televisions are internet-enabled. In almost one in three households, viewers use the smart functions of their device. The new HbbTV standard for interactive television turns devices into true data sources.

Manufacturers such as LG, Samsung, Sony and Philips already send information to Google during the initial setup. Panasonic contacts Microsoft. Connections to TV manufacturers, cloud providers and various Google services have been identified. Data transfer to advertising networks cannot simply be prevented.

The Privacy and digital devices are in an increasingly tense relationship. Users must object to HbbTV tracking for each channel individually. No TV sets offer an opt-in procedure to protect consumers.

The trend shows that smart TVs are collecting more and more data. In 2018, 114 million smart TVs were sold worldwide. In the USA, 45% of households own at least one smart TV. 90% of users consent to data collection by Samba TV during setup.

This evolution of surveillance through smart TVs highlights the need to Data protection for networked televisions and improve them.

Smart TVs Tracking HDMI: Functionality and technology

Smart TVs have developed into powerful data collectors. The technology behind them is complex and raises questions about Transparency in data tracking on. Especially the Security risks of smart home devices are moving into focus.

Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)

ACR is at the heart of tracking. This technology regularly creates digital fingerprints from images and sound. The encrypted data is uploaded to manufacturer clouds and compared with databases. This allows smart TVs to recognize what is currently being watched - whether via HDMI or TV tuner.

Screenshot intervals of the manufacturers

The frequency of data collection varies greatly between manufacturers:

• Samsung: every 500 milliseconds
• LG: every 10 milliseconds

This frequency shows how intensively the devices collect user data. The Security risks of smart home devices become particularly clear here.

Data transmission and server communication

The collected data is bundled and sent to the manufacturer's servers:

• LG: every 15 seconds
• Samsung: every minute

At 2-6 KB per interval, the uploads are relatively small. Nevertheless, the amount of data quickly adds up. The data is sent to various domains, including eu-acrX.alphonso.tv for LG and several Samsung domains. This practice underlines the need for more Transparency in data tracking.

In view of these practices, it is important that consumers know their rights and check their settings. The balance between functionality and data protection remains a challenge for the smart TV industry.

Samsung and LG as key players in data collection

Samsung and LG are at the forefront of data collection in the smart TV sector. This practice raises questions about consumer rights and product safety. Samsung openly advertises its data collection under the name "Samsung Ads". LG goes one step further and collects data more frequently than its competitor.

Both companies focus on two main scenarios: linear television via integrated TV tuners and the use of HDMI players. The information collected is used for personalized advertising and advertising agreements.

A Responsible consumption of technology is made more difficult by these practices. Consumers should be aware of data collection and know their rights. Here is an overview of the market leaders in the TV sector:

The market leaders use different strategies to collect and use data. The protection of consumer rights often takes a back seat. A critical look at the manufacturers' data protection guidelines is essential for responsible technology consumption.

Tracking scenarios in detail

Smart TVs Tracking HDMI is an important aspect of the ethical challenges of digitalization. Data collection varies depending on how the television is used.

Linear television via TV tuner

Smart TVs collect the most intensive data when watching linear television. The devices continuously analyze the image material and collect detailed information about viewing habits.

HDMI players and external devices

Data collection is also extensive with HDMI feeds. Games consoles, notebooks, Blu-ray players and streaming sticks are affected. The TV monitors all connected devices and evaluates their content.

Streaming apps and their special position

Interestingly, streaming apps such as Netflix generate significantly less ACR traffic. They carry out their own analyses and partially prevent the smart TV from collecting data. This leads to a twelve-fold reduction in data volume compared to other sources.

Whether users are logged in to the smart TV or not plays a subordinate role in data collection. The devices collect information regardless of the login status. This comprehensive surveillance raises questions about privacy and highlights the ethical challenges of digitalization in the area of smart home technologies.

Data protection risks in screen analysis

The Monitoring functions in smart TVs pose considerable data protection risks. Manufacturers such as Samsung and LG regularly take screenshots of screen content, regardless of the source. These Device tracking via HDMI even captures content from connected laptops or games consoles.

The recordings take between 10 and 500 milliseconds and may contain private images or sensitive information. It becomes particularly problematic when artificial intelligence is used to analyze this data. Experts suspect that users can be identified by their consumption habits, even if the recorded data does not contain any direct personal identifiers.

In addition to visual content, audio data is also recorded and analyzed. This considerably expands the scope of the information collected. The combination of image and sound recordings enables users to be profiled comprehensively.

• Screenshots are taken of everything that can be seen on the screen
• Recording time varies between 10 and 500 milliseconds
• Audio content is also used for analysis
• AI-supported analysis increases data protection risks

To protect themselves from these risks, users can deactivate the tracking functions. On Samsung and LG televisions, this requires the adjustment of six to eleven different settings. This process is complex and a challenge for many consumers.

The role of artificial intelligence in content analysis

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in the analysis of content on smart TVs. This raises questions about Data protection for networked televisions and poses new challenges for privacy in digital devices.

AI-supported image recognition

AI-supported image recognition enables a detailed evaluation of the collected data. According to statistics, digital technologies are already performing 47% of the tasks that were previously carried out by humans. This development can also be seen in the content analysis of smart TVs.

Potential abuse scenarios

As AI systems become more efficient, the risk of misuse also increases. A study shows that the productivity of machine work is 35% higher than that of human work. This could lead to an increased use of AI systems for data analysis, which could jeopardize the privacy of users.

Data protection concerns

Processing personal data without the explicit consent of users raises serious privacy concerns. A survey found that 78% of users have concerns about their privacy on digital devices. Compliance with GDPR guidelines poses a particular challenge here.

AI systems in smart TVs must be designed in such a way that they respect users' privacy while offering innovative functions.

Advertising networks and data processing

Smart TVs collect a wealth of data about the viewing behavior of their users. This information is extremely valuable for advertising networks. Manufacturers such as LG work with advertising partners to monetize the collected data. The processing often takes place in real time, which enables personalized advertising directly on the device.

The Security risks of smart home devices are particularly evident when it comes to data processing. On average, the IP address, date and time, files accessed and browser and operating system information are stored every time a website is accessed. This data can create a detailed profile of the user.

The Transparency in data tracking often leaves a lot to be desired. Many users are not aware that their surfing behavior is statistically evaluated. External hosting solutions also store personal data such as IP addresses and communication data on their servers. The legal basis for this data processing varies depending on the situation.

Consumers do have rights under the GDPR, such as the right to information or erasure. However, implementation is often complicated. The transfer of data to third parties in insecure third countries, where an EU-comparable level of data protection cannot be guaranteed, is particularly critical.

Legal basis and EU data protection

Data collection by smart TVs raises questions about GDPR compliance The Consumer rights and product safety are the focus of this discussion. The General Data Protection Regulation strictly regulates the collection, processing and use of data.

GDPR compliance

Smart TV manufacturers must comply with the GDPR guidelines. Users have the right to information about processed data (Art. 15 GDPR) and to erasure of their data (Art. 17 GDPR). Data processing is based on Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b; f GDPR. These rights are particularly important in view of the ethical challenges of digitalization.

EU-US Data Privacy Framework

The EU-US Data Privacy Framework allows the transfer of some data to the USA. This is relevant for smart TV manufacturers that process data internationally. The legal assessment of these practices is complex and requires a close examination of the consent processes.

The Consumer rights and product safety must be given greater consideration in the development of smart TVs. The ethical challenges of digitalization require constant adaptation of the legal framework in order to ensure user protection.

Protection options for consumers

In times of Smart TVs Tracking HDMI is Responsible consumption of technology more important than ever. Consumers can take action to protect their privacy. A study by the University of California shows that smart TVs from major manufacturers secretly transmit screenshots to servers.

Deactivation of the tracking functions

To protect themselves from unwanted data collection, users can deactivate ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) technology in the settings of their smart TV. This technology collects data about viewing habits and sells it to advertisers. We also recommend blocking the TV camera and switching off the integrated microphone.

Menu navigation with different manufacturers

Samsung users can find the relevant settings under "Support" and "Terms of use". The "Viewing Information Services" function can be deactivated here. LG owners look for the "Live Plus" option. As the menu navigation can vary depending on the model, it is advisable to take a look at the operating instructions. Responsible consumption of technology also means regularly installing security patches and checking the manufacturer's data protection guidelines.