Never Connect Your “Smart” TV to the Internet If You Value Your Privacy!

While shopping for a TV, I was unable to find a plain display without any “Smart TV” features. So, we ended up buying a nice 55” LG TV during a great Black Friday deal.

It was impossible to get the display up and running without connecting it to the internet. I wanted to avoid using WiFi because we have a very long and strong password. More importantly, I wanted to eliminate the possibility of unintentionally activating the WiFi connection later. Instead, I resorted to the quickest and most secure method: connecting via an Ethernet cable. Disconnecting the cable afterward ensures a 100% secure disconnection.

Forced Violation of Privacy!
Soon, I was forced to accept the terms and conditions. Skipping them resulted in a completely useless black screen in our living room—no basic setup was possible without agreeing.

In addition to the usual liability waivers, I had to consent to:

• Viewing Information Agreement

• Voice Information Agreement

• Interest-Based & Cross-Device Advertising Agreement

• Marketing Communications Agreement

You can read the full details here*:
https://us.lgappstv.com/main/terms

*Surely all other brands have similar terms and conditions.

Software Updates
Even during an automated software update, the TV explicitly stated that it would send back user data!

After completing the setup using a ZIP code from another city, I disconnected the Ethernet cable, severing the connection to the network.

To ensure that this "Spy TV" could never reconnect to the internet—accidentally or otherwise—I blocked its MAC address on the home network.

Apple TV
Apple is known for maintaining high standards for privacy. While they do collect data, it’s typically stripped of personal information. However, always be cautious about the apps and streaming services you sign up for—they may have their own data-collection policies.

Built-in Camera and Microphone
If your TV includes a built-in camera or microphone, this is the most critical reason to keep it disconnected from the internet. Prioritize your privacy!