That our TV has an internet connection is a hoot to be able to enjoy the best streaming content, watch internet TV or just browse. But with all great power comes great responsibility, or what amounts to the same thing: that internet connection that brings so much rich data to the screen also captures information about us. And it is that the silly box It has long since become a smart TV with internet, geolocation, microphone and in some cases even a camera. Every TV is different, but that’s what I did for maximize Android TV / Google TV privacy settings in mine.
To use: For the preparation of this article, I used the routes, settings and screenshots of my personal smart TV, a TCL 55EP660 with Android TV. On your TV with Android TV / Google TV, options may vary.
Disable data collection
smart tvs collect information about device and application usage data. Thus, this data can be used for statistics, error detection and also to display personalized content in the form of advertising.
On my Android TV I was able to deactivate it in two different places (for the manufacturer on the one hand and for Google on the other), in both cases having to go into the settings (the cogwheel at the top right). In the first case, in ‘device preferences‘ > ‘Use and diagnosis‘ and slide the single toggle.
I also went todevice preferences‘ > ‘Information‘ > ‘privacy notice‘. Three options appear there: one to use the TV as a smart TV, another to activate automatic updates which we strongly recommend which is always activated to resolve errors and have the latest security patches and the interesting one is the third , in which I authorize the manufacturer to process my personal data (such as access times or TV off times) for “offer better content services on their smart TVs“. This is precisely the one I disabled.
Know my location? No thanks
The location is a key point when offering personalized advertising, because it’s not the same to show you an ad for content or a product that’s not available near another recently released one in your area. Thus, smart TVs estimate where you are thanks to Wi-Fi.
You can disable it in the settings, in ‘device preferences‘ > ‘Location‘. There, enter the location and select “No”. The Location screen will also show if an app has recently requested it.
Limit app permissions
Apps you have installed on your smart TV may collect information through the permissions you grant them (the typical thing to say Yes to everything when during the installation process appear the conditions of use), some of which are essential for its proper functioning, but others totally dispensable. It is therefore appropriate to review and limit those who are able to enter the kitchen.
In the settings go to ‘Apps‘ and move down, where you will see ‘App permissions‘. There they are classified according to permission: storage, calendar, contacts, camera, microphone… so, if for example we enter ‘Microphone‘, that’s what we’ll see. Now is the time to slide the toggle to turn off those we deem appropriate.
Pay attention to the sources of the applications
Although Google is not infallible and from time to time applications slip into its Play Store that are malware or are not, but they are real abusers when it comes to asking for permissions, the big G acts as a barrier to entry so that anyone can’t be on your app platform.
Just because they’re in the Play Store doesn’t imply they’re safe, but if they’re not, there’s always a reason to take extreme precautions. Also, there is something to keep in mind: in addition to damaging your device, they can also gain access to your personal data.
The way to go is to go to settings, then ‘device preferences‘ > ‘Security and Restrictions‘. Here you can do two things: in ‘Unknown sources‘, you have to disable both options or directly make sure that you have enabled the ‘Verify apps’ option, which either prevents installation or displays a warning message.
The Google Assistant is “listening to you”
The search for maximum privacy can lead us to sacrifice certain features, so it is something personal, but in my case I disabled Google Assistant. However, and if you decide to enable it, from a privacy perspective it is always better to invoke it via a button or manual action and not with active listening look for triggers like “Ok Google”, which basically means always listening.
You can do this in the settings, in ‘device preferences‘ > ‘google assistant‘. There you have the toggle to activate or deactivate it and a little further down, the detection of ‘Hey Google‘.
Bonus: And the Ad ID, what?
If you devote yourself to studying in depth the options of your smart TV, you will find in the settings, in ‘device preferences‘ > ‘Information’ > ‘Legal information’ > ‘Announcements’. Yes, well hidden.
Android TV devices have an advertising ID The only person in charge of displaying ads in a personalized way based on the information collected.
This is where you can reset or clear the ID, but as Google explains in their support, it is not possible to disable ads. Resetting it will make it difficult for Google to serve you relevant ads again and if you choose to remove it, you will not be served again, so any ads that reach you will not be as relevant.
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