Redakcja Choose TV
Modern Smart TVs offer access to a huge number of applications and content, but increasingly they also have their "hidden price." According to new reports, devices with systems such as Google TV, webOS, or Tizen collect vast amounts of data about users and primarily use it for advertising.
Your TV can see more than you think
One of the most controversial mechanisms is ACR, or Automatic Content Recognition technology. It allows the TV to analyze what you are watching even if the signal comes from HDMI, e.g., from a console or decoder. In practice, this means that the TV can take "snapshots" of the viewed content and use them to build a user profile. Based on this, ads are matched not only on the TV itself but also on other devices, such as a phone or computer.
Ads are everywhere and there will be more of them
Producers are increasingly investing in advertising systems. Ads are appearing not only in applications but also in the TV interface on the main screen, in recommendations, or even in screensaver mode. Companies like Amazon and Google are developing this model by combining data from different platforms. As a result, ads can "track" users across devices and services.
Cheaper TV but at the expense of privacy
Manufacturers explain that thanks to advertisements they can offer TVs at lower prices. And indeed, the equipment is relatively cheap today considering its capabilities. The problem is that the user is often not fully aware of how much data they are giving up in return. In extreme cases, there are even business models where the TV is almost free, but in exchange, it requires full consent for tracking and ads.
Smart TV is becoming more of an advertising platform than a neutral device, and the user is increasingly paying for the equipment… with their data.
source: flatpanelshd
