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A Very Slippery Slope: Yes, Your Samsung Smart TV Can Listen To Your Private Conversations
Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,
The biggest story in the tech world today is the revelation that Samsung’s Smart TV can and will listen to your conversations, and will share the details with a third party. Yes, you read that right. Here’s the actual language from the privacy policy itself:
“Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party.”
Naturally, this has freaked people out and led to multiple comparisons to 1984 and the ubiquitous Big Brother. It was framed exceptionally well by EFF activist Parker Higgins in the following tweet:
Left: Samsung SmartTV privacy policy, warning users not to discuss personal info in front of their TV Right: 1984 pic.twitter.com/osywjYKV3W
— Parker Higgins (@xor) February 8, 2015
While the privacy policy statement is disturbing in its own right, the extent of how creepy it is has to do with the fact that this information will be shared with a “third party.” This begs the question, who is this third party? Corynne McSherry, the intellectual property director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, has some thoughts. From the Daily Beast:
Judging by the privacy policy, it seems Samsung is collecting voice commands mostly to improve the TV’s performance. “It looks like they are using a third-party service to convert speech to text, so that’s most of what is being disclosed here,” said Corynne McSherry, the intellectual property director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
But, said McSherry, “If I were the customer, I might like to know who that third party was, and I’d definitely like to know whether my words were being transmitted in a secure form.” If the transmission is not encrypted, a SmartHacker could conceivably turn your TV into an eavesdropping device.
After reading this, I have two concerns. First, there’s the point outlined by McSherry about the vulnerability to hackers. So even if we can be assured that Samsung and the third party isn’t up to anything nasty, is the entire process secure enough to protect ourselves from hackers, or an intelligence agency like the NSA? I have my doubts.
Beyond this, there is an equally important concern regarding how this trend might progress into the future, and how it will future erode personal privacy if we don’t address it now.
Take Facebook for example. In its early days it was a seemingly benign, efficient and enjoyable way to stay in touch with friends and reconnect with olds ones. It lured in over a billion users and then essentially decided to turn on all of them without really ever letting anyone know in order to make an incredible amount of money. I’ve discussed some examples of this on Liberty Blitzkrieg on many occasions (links at the end), but most recently I highlighted an incredibly important and powerful article by Salim Varani, in the post: A Very Disturbing and Powerful Post – “Get Your Loved Ones Off Facebook”. Here’s an excerpt:
Facebook doesn’t keep any of your data safe or anonymous, no matter how much you lock down your privacy settings. Those are all a decoy. There are very serious privacy breaches, like selling your product endorsement to advertisers and politicians, tracking everything you read on the internet, or using data from your friends to learn private things about you – they have no off switch.
Facebook’s blocks posts based on political content it doesn’t like. They blocked posts about Fergusson and other political protests. When Zuckerberg alledgedly went a bit nuts and banned the word “privacy” from meetings at Facebook, it was also blocked from any Facebook post. You just got an error message about “inappropriate content”. Yeah, uh huh. Inappropriate for who?
If you’ve ever used Facebook contact sync, or used Facebook on your mobile phone, Facebook took your complete contact list. Real names, phone numbers, addresses, emails, everything. They then use that to create “shadow profiles” of the people you know who aren’t on Facebook. Non Facebook users often see this in action, in the form of emails to them from Facebook, containing their personal information. Facebook users can see this when they upload a picture of a non-Facebook user, and they’re automatically tagged. My friend’s not on Facebook, but since me and a few friends used Facebook on our phones, Facebook has his name and contact information, plus knows who his friends are because it sees him in their address book and calling records.
That’s even scarier because Facebook is used heavily for political advertising, and product endorsements. People know I raised money for kids with cancer before, so they might not be surprised if they see an ad where I’m endorsing a Christian outreach programme poor kids in Africa. But I categorically only support programmes that don’t have religious allegiances, since they’re known to bias their support to people who convert. Worse, a lot of people might assume things about my religious beliefs based on these false endorsements. Don’t even get me started on all the hypey startup stuff I don’t condone!
Bet you didn’t think that this is what Facebook would become when you first joined, did you? But this is indeed what it has become, and now that you’re hooked you can cut the cord. Like with drug dealers, “the first one’s always free.” If you haven’t read Salim’s article in full, I strongly suggest you do.
Now back to the original Daily Beast article for some more thoughts on the matter…
Samsung’s privacy policy notes that in addition to voice commands being transmitted, information about your device, “including device identifiers,” may also be beamed over the Internet to the third-party service, “or to the extent necessary to provide Voice Recognition features to you.”
McSherry called that bit of qualifying language “worrisome.”
“Samsung may just be giving itself some wiggle room as the service evolves, but that language could be interpreted pretty broadly,” she said.
This is my key concern. Although it might be completely benign right now, that in no way, shape or form means it will remain that way. In fact, once everyone is hooked on SmartTVs and forgets about this whole hubbub, these companies could eagerly turn around and sell all of your private conversation details to advertisers or worse. By then, it might be too late for you to let go.
* * *
For related articles, see:
A Very Disturbing and Powerful Post – “Get Your Loved Ones Off Facebook”
Why You Should Think Twice Before Using Facebook’s Messenger App
Was the Department of Defense Behind Facebook’s Controversial Manipulation Study?
This Man’s $600,000 Facebook Disaster is a Warning For All Small Businesses
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Skynet needs to determine who its enemies are . . .
You don't need to be worried, unless you're doing something wrong.
Then I guess you won't mind sending me the usernames and passwords for your email accounts.
Shit like this's been going on for a long long time. Nuffin' new. Just now breaks out into the MSM
One more time: If it's connected to the ether-space, they own it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0xm-572v0s#t=11
Scream "Fuck Obama" while holding a bag of unpopped microwave popcorn.
You'll see.
Just wait until your underwear informs the NSA you are now a national security risk.
na don't wear em.
LOL, needed a giggle cheers New Game!!
You should read the actual website page from Samsung. Voice recording is only the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.samsung.com/sg/info/privacy/smarttv.html
It also has facial recognition features, IP address collecting, ....
The Chosenites want you http://www.popsci.com/our-lives-are-full-listening-devices-like-samsung-...
Follow the net neutrality road........................
Follow the net neutrality road........................
Follow follow follow follow
Follow the net neutrality road........................
explain to me how the fuck a wifi tv can go spy out of the home if it does not have acces to router wpa 2 keycode, smartass..
If you are not doing anything.... no worries.
People that say this have been brainwashed. Saying this puts you into the catagory of sheeple.
No worries? When your bank account has been drained, your house broken into, your children followed when they walk home from school, your cell phone receives spam calls, you are pulled aside by TSA and you think you were not doing anything, you are a poorly educated person.
You will raise poorly educated children, God help you. I truly hope you wise up before something bad cripples your family or others around you, do to your ignorance of basic dignity, security and freedom.
No worries? Yes, I worry you are the problem when you state this. Get the hell away from me and my family.
"Self-enslavement" is a good nickname for someone who is completely enslaved by his singular, obsessive fixation. Please, seek help.
Next up -- free TV for everyone courtesy of your friends at NSA and homeland security.
If you want to TURN ON voice recognition then you deserve what you get. They are flat out telling you what is going to happen. Buyer beware.
The sad part is, is that no one is going to do anything about it.
A relatively small handful of people will whine about this intrusive technology on some blogs, but no one will actually do anything about it.
After Prism was revealed by Snowden, there was some "outrage" in the blogosphere and some meme pics posted on FarceBook, and 2 weeks later everyone forgot about it, and went back to contributing their lives to that 21st Century Stasi-style collection site.
No one is going to do anything about it?
Does ass-raping Samsun directors count for anything?
Well, I did something about it. I threw out my TV years ago. Sadly someday I'm just going to have to face dropping the internet as well, but considering how many lists I'm on already does it really matter?
Miffed
Buy a camera/mic free Moniter too. They're cheaper. 27in, under $100.
Windows 8 sp1 don't like them though.
They might not even be safe.... what a fucking world.
The solution is simple: Don't connect your TV to the Internet.
Not having a tv is a better solution.
I bought a tablet last year in an attempt to better my posture, as it seems I always sit on the edge of my chair while reading the web.
By tapping the search bar at the top that contains a mic icon, you can speak your question or search query and it converts your voice to text. So here I am, having a conversation with someone and did not realize my thumb had tapped the mic icon while the tablet sat in my lap. Two minutes later I glance down and my tablet is typing out each and every word I had just spoken.
No dick is that big CD....
"They got my dick message!!"
"We need a urine specimen, a stool specimen and a sperm count."
Here's my knickers....
Weapons of ass destruction.
Wow, thanks SB.
I have no Idea how that works, but it's a real nice hack.
Not even any unpopped kernels.
Now this darn monitor is acting up again.
Yep...dum dum murica just can't get it. If it has a wireless connection, you've given the entire world a view to your living room porno set.
I'm not sure why you got dum dum votes, I'm guessing you have smart wireless tech in your home town.
I'm dum dum envious A-Hat.
There's a damned good reason I don't own anything 'smart'. I know from direct experience having done contracts for computer security work is Dilbert's pointy haired boss is smarter than the average corporate executive and without the porn habit....
Turn on, tune in, drop out baby ;-)
One answer to this 'new age' might be to take up old drug habits.
Been online since 1992.
I always assumed that if I could access another computer remotely, the same applied to mine.
As for TV, why the fuck would you buy one?
Offer me one for free and I'll pass.
No one should overlook the fact that those baby monitors sold everywhere broadcast wireless signals, too. I showed a neighbor how easy it was for others to intercept the signal and see what was going on in his house. Those wireless IP cameras on some surveillance systems have a similar vulnerability. Privacy is so early-20th century.
Just wait until the Internet of Things includes your refrigerators and toilets. They'll know your input and output and tell both Michael and your doctor if you don't eat properly.
Brilliant!
Maybe Samsung should spin this turd 180 and launch an "At Samsung we listen to our customers!" and "At Samsung we are always ahead of the times" feel-good campaign offensives. Some nice music... an endorsement from Bono... who knows... they could come out of this smelling like a rose.
They already smell like a rose because the average useless eater doesn't give a shit. FYI, The newer TV's will also feature a convex screen, allowing for a better field of view into your living room for our overlords. Oops, I'm getting ahead of myself as that story has yet to be mainstreamed.......
if it can hear, what can it see? can it deductively reason what is right for me? ah, never mind it's already doing that...
As a matter of fact this technology exists in part for targeted advertising based on the conversations you are having in the "privacy" of your own living room......
Wow
I guess it will have do do until they can get convince everyone to wire themselves up to wireless bodycams
TPTB have only begun to plumb the depths of evil. People need to wake the hell up.......
In the meantime, stand next to your Samsung and fart loudly (if a Beano mailer arrives you can mark this one "confirmed").
Xbox Kinect is even more intrusive than this Samsung TV and sheeple lined up to buy them on Black Friday.
Kinect sees your whole bedroom and shares the realtime stream with third parties.
The games you play in the bedroom shouldn't need an XBox, so move the XBox elsewhere. Get with it!
Notice, the Elites are excluded from any Domestic Spying, Airport Frisking of their Kids and women by TSA, given Diplomatic Immunity from Customs, Given Immunity from Taxes and Banking Examination, how they are never found to be running Slave Labor for their factories, and how they pay less taxes than all the rest of the people by percentage even though they have all the legal angles for tax loop holes and off shore Trust Accounts.
It's good to be the King, the bankers, the Elite, the Royal, the Diplomats, and the Big Private Executives.
Neo-Fuedalism anyone?
Hacienda System?
Like being a Peon? Who is your Patron? You need to know if you want to petition for Relief.
Surrender to your Kings.
Pledge fealty, that you may live another day.
Fukem... let em eat azz burgers with the luar in chief fudgepacker
Yes, It's good to be the king.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db3e8Qw9hhs
It's a real bummer watching all these elite wannabes scratching and clawing their way to the top all for naught. Like our freshman senator Chris Murphy from CT. Poor guy went all the way to Ukraine with his nose up McCain's pooper and didn't even know he was shaking hands with Nazis. Wonder what they have on him. Must be really good.
boy are you wrong, but you are needed to bring down this country for big brother
Maybe you have loud, explicit sex in a room near children??
- If there are children, then there is a federal budget for enforcement, to remove kids from a bad environment.
2014 HHS Payments to States for Child Support Enforcement
and Family Support Programs Outlays = $4.112 Billion
2013 HHS Child support enforcement = $4.066 Billion
2012 HHS Child support enforcement = $3.957 Billion
2011 HHS Child support enforcement = $4.182 Billion
2010 HHS Child support enforcement = $4.423 Billion
2009 HHS Child support enforcement = $4.352 Billion
2008 HHS Child support enforcement = $4,283 Billion
2007 HHS Child support enforcement = $4.238 Billion
2000 HHS Child support enforcement = $2,906 Billion
- We would not want adults to be spontaneous, or uninhibited, after 9:30 PM in the privacy of a bed-room
- Missionary position is permitted
- No Oral Sex
- No Sodomy
- No Role Playing
- No S & M Play
- No Latex Play
- No Golden Showers, No Scat
- No Gay Sex unless there is a legal document for partnership
- No Witch Craft or Wicca or earth religions that would be perceived as cultist
- No fortune telling
- No use of Mediums to contact the dead
- No Pimp & Whore Parties
- No Home Medicine, or Christian Science
- No Home Treatment of Depression, ADHD, troubled Teens, Defiant Behavior
- No reading Subversive material like European Philosophy
- No Studying Chemistry outside of the bounds of K-12 since these could be bombs or WMDs
- No Study of Viking Strategies or Guerrilla Warfare since this is insurgent or terrorist technology even when it is history
Please remain Calm!! Everything is okay!! You will be given a number and some clothes. You will be instructed on what to do, so that you remain safe.
No Bible reading. You might become a crusader and do horrible things through a mininterpretation of the Bible. (Reading the Koran is acceptable, because it clearly endorses doing horrible things.)
bible reading is fine - religion is the opiate of the masses.
Opium is the opiate of the masses. These days, we call it OxyContin.
I'm okay with all the no's as long as Furry parties, where people dress up as animals prior to intercourse, are permitted.
Speaking of Web sites that have evolved over the years, anyone notice how many scripts ZH runs in the background? Advertising only?
Add HTTPS Everywhere, NoScript, AdBlock Edge (a fork of AdBlock) and Ghostery to your browser. That's a start.
Who decides what's wrong? That's the problem. All that has to happen is that the US people 'elect' the wrong person. That person will have access to this entire system. He (or she!) can make anything illegal to justify indefinately detaing his (or her) opposition without a trial. I know that you were (hopefully) being sarcastic. That is an all too comon viewpoint.
Even though I already suspected this (yes there is duct tape over my webcam), reading it scares me a bit. Its obvious that martial law is coming to America in the future. Be prepared to ride out the storm. Have guns, ammo, cash, food, water, emeregency supplies, matches, lighters, candles and silver. You can knock the last two items out at once: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScentSavers?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Who gets to decide what's wrong?
Not you or I......
qouting bush? facebook, once allowed on your computer, opens the door fully to your computer. Not that the facebook employees are using that capacity or know about it.
Guess I need to /sarc tag my comments.
Especially when you are making comments that some make with genuine sincerity.
Who gets to define wrong? Some deem saying a prayer with your kids is child abuse.
Freewolf either omitted the sarc tag, or forgot that YOU don't get to decide what's 'wrong'.
Me and the mrs were discussing personal matters while watching a movie and two hours later UPS showed up with a box containing a dildo, a pocket pussy and a box of extra small condoms.
Was it from Amazon?
Later that night she texted her boyfriend, and two hours later a box of extra large condoms showed up.
...Samjunk makes nothing i want to own or buy....
...Samjunk makes nothing i want to own or buy....
Skynet = Mossad
Let them listen. Perverts.
WTF ?!
Just went through my Samsung settings....mine doesn't have voice command...still unplugged it
That doesn't work in many cases!
Many systems, numerous smart phones for a start, have a separate battery capacity that allows some functions to continue in the off/unplugged mode, only then to be retransmitted after returning to the net or even during the down modes, in both cases without the user's knowledge.
That's why if one wishes total privacy with respect to say, their phones, one would place them into a Faraday Cage or similar device or other sealed entity like a refrigerator.
Honest injun.
One of my acquaintances whose worked in this field for Uknowwhoshallneverbementioned said that with respect to your computer for example, encryption is useless.
Because first, they front run and back end the communications. To wit: y'all remember that there are commercially available packages that parents can install on systems to monitor their kid's activities? Will even keep track of what is typed, etc? These were very big about 10 to 15 years ago if not earlier. OK? And y'all ever had a download to your operating system? Go figure.
Also, most "encrypted systems" like TOR have back doors deluxe. Remember, the NSA, et al developed TOR for ...etc., Again, go figure.
If it's connected to ether space, it's not yours, period.
And most benign systems can do more than you ever imagined.
But this is about voices and sounds not intended to be transmitted.
Back in the day, early morning that is, they could listen in on your dinner table conversation through your own telephone.
They didn't even need a bug. Listened in right through the switchboard.
Thats why I only have one picture in my phone for them to download. A selfie closeup moonshot of my hairy ass. Welcome to my facebook FUCKERS, enjoy.
"If it's connected to ether space, it's not yours, period"
Question.
Does this apply to bitcoins:)?
Im surprised with the admission, thought that was secret. flat screens. just because samsung now wants to use part of the capacity, does not mean others are not fully using all the capabilities.
It is safe to assume that the "third party" is anyone who wants the transcripts of your personal conversations at home.
or visuals
You know, my cell gets a signal in both the refrigerator and the microwave.
Glad it's not a smart phone.
".........If it's connected to ether space, it's not yours, PERIOD....."
Indeed........
Sun Tzu is Timeless for a reason: DISINFORMATION has and always will be a most effective tool, regardless of Technology.
What any Man can Invent, another Man can Circumvent......
Does anyone make a dumb TV anymore, one that connects to cable and shows what's on?
Ha ha ha. You're so cute.
My son's blonde girlfriend, maybe
Yes. You can also just get a plain monitor that doesn't connect to anything.
And finally, you can put a firewall that you control (such as a small linux based device) and send any unauthorized traffic into the void. And if you're super paranoid, a screwdriver will let you pull wireless network cards out of any devices you don't trust. They're usually not soldered in, because they use different cards for different markets, and it's cheaper to buy a precertified card than to go through the hassle of designing something into a TV or whatever.
I'm only familiar with about 5 'smart' TVs, and each one with wireless capabilities also has a standard RJ45 connection too, for those who choose to use a wired ethernet connection. Wireless communications aren't necessarily safe even when routed though a firewall, because a determined person can sniff wireless signals without going through the firewall device. Not that it's legal, but the authorities don't worry about such trivial matters when they go after you.
As an aside, the new cable modems from Comcast have a built-in WiFi access point, which by default is turned on. In other words, anyone could piggyback onto your services. Comcast has apparently been sued because of this feature. I tried using mine and decided if I ever wanted to do anything shady I would use it - from a dark laptop using a cheap, disposable USB wireless card - and claim plausible deniability if anything untoward came of it. Not that I'd ever want to do anything like that.
Duh, don't use your own network connection.
Take an unused dss satellite dish, replace the LNB with a wireless usb adapter, and run a usb cable from the adapter to your laptop, aim out your window, wait for 20 some odd connections to become available.
There are some specs for placement of the adapter to the dish, but the serious can look those up.
With a standard 8' dish, you could snoop on the entire town. That is until the nosy old fuck walking his dogs notices that your dish is consistently pointed in a direction that no satellite has ever existed in the history of the Clarke Belt.
They killed dumb tvs with hdtv. Now you know why the gov mandated this.
What are those frequencies being used for now? I know some players tried to get in on it but you know Verizon and company weren't having that shit.
Do you mean when they switched off analog broadcast and switched to digital only?
Who is Sam .... what did he sing .... where did he sing .... when did he sing it ?
I bought a new Samsung smart TV...one of those monster flat things the size of Cleveland, not very long ago. After reading this, I went and took a good look at it. There appears to be a microphone, a small camera lens, and a 22 calibre barrel on the front face pointed at the viewer. Should I be worried?
No, the barrell is silenced and the microphone programmed to record a fart when it goes off.
Only if that dog of yours has taken a fondness to the taste of uranus.
that wonderful dog of mine died of old age several years ago. that icon is a memorial.
I would have ignored BT normally but because that was a memorial to your puppy, I gave em the down arrow treatment for the nasty comment.
Thanx MsC. I added an ear wiggle to the icon as a FY to BT.
Wow...now the next animated GIF will have yet another "upgrade". We went from dog-->dog tongue-->to dog+tongue+wink and now to dog+tongue+wink+ear wiggle.
Even microsoft doesn't leak their shit that quickly!
Yes, but very very creepy. No normal dog licks like that ...and most certainly not a complementary "wink" afterward. I've seen lots of canine fellows go, just not ones with that type of a licking fetish.
Tylers pls boot this BT freak.
Oh c'mon what would ZH be without an occasional rational agitator?
I forsee a day where you tire of the Presidental Address and turn the channel, only to have it flip back to the Address as the President begins to berate you, personally, for attempting to tune out before he is finished.
"Viewer 12,865, where you goin'? Got something more pressing to attend to than the state of your country? I think not!"
Holy shit...I just got done jerking off to porn and yelling out my bank account and credit card numbers when I blew my load...was that wrong ?
Whoa - you're not maxed out on the credit cards? You need more ammo. A little gun oil too may be of some use. You guys from Jersey are hilarious
you can remember your bank account numbers while blowing your load? i can't even remember my wife's name.
Her name is Mary, but she prefers Sue. She likes the color Blue, hates tomatoes, and is very ticklish on the inside of her left thigh.
Only if you stop, based on the information you obtained on this website.
When they make revelations like this, they look for the people who change their behavior.
They have something to hide.
Just don't yell your credit card expiration date, or 3-digit security code.
If you use facebook to post your personal information online...you deserve what you get. If you truly believe that "it's all about ME ME ME" then it indeed will be all about YOU! iPhone, iPad, iPod, iTunes, nothing but a portal for the rest of the world to "admire" your magnificence!
Internet freedom goes both ways, unfortunately. It can't be any other way.
No more Farcebook for me. Nothing this side of government is more evil.
The main device for this data collection is the hydro, smart grid meter.
Gimme a break with this 'data-collecting' crap! These idiots have collected way too MUCH data, and in an age of photo-shop and other means of 'tweaking' existing data, none of it means shit anymore. All you do is say "I've been hacked, it's not me." Unless they have actual video of you typing those words, fuck them. Accuse THEM of planting it.
The only hold it can have over you is in your fear of it.
I can't believe they would put this chit out, but there are so many low infos that would think this was "cool" to be spied on - Now lay down & take your enema with a smile
Gee, I used to think people with remote controls were too lazy to get up and change the channel.
Now they're the physically fit ones exercising their thumbs rather than talking to inanimate objects.
And how it that different from Apple's Siri?
Duh.
Of the Amazon "always listen" speaker.
Or the Amazon" always listen" speaker.
This story was broke by the ZH commentators damned near a year ago.......
In that case, CNN money beat ZH commentators by a good half-year.
A smart TVs camera and microphone are as easily exploited by determined hackers (like the government) as the ones on your smart phone and your tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
Low-end Smart TVs have a simple computer built in with a web browser for stuff like Netflix or Hulu or just crappy web browsing. Higher end Smart TVs toss in Skype and a built-in microphone and camera because some people that know nothing about computers still want to use Skype. The real problem is for people that know nothing about computers and would never use their TV for Skype. They are probably completely unaware of their TV connecting to the internet at all if its wireless and have no idea that their TV has a microphone and camera.
This article is not about the usual camera/microphone exploit. It's specifically about the voice command features which require you to be connected to the internet. Voice command is active all the time and listening for commands. Samsung's disclaimer says they are going to send your voice (or any other noise) somewhere else to figure out IF the noise is a voice command and recognize which particular one your using. In order to do THAT, they need to send EVERYTHING the microphone picks up that might be a voice command. Presumably, it's just a big computer somewhere with voice recognition software. Presumably. They might be sending it to the NSA or Mossad for 'voice recognition' processing too - they don't specify and you'll never know.
Whether you have enabled Samsung voice command or not, you are still subject to the same microphone/camera exploits that every smartphone and computer has.
Screwdriver, back cover, mic wires, snip.
It sounds creepy but HEY! you are not bound to buy one those spying divices anyway Nexus phones are always listening to and nobody's complaining about that.
*It is up to every individual to protect his privacy.
Keep telling yourself that. In a few years the ONLY new carz on the market will be outfitted with Uncle Sam super snooping devices. TV sets soon to follow.
We were born without a creen on our forehead and without wheels on our legs. About Uncle Sam I don't think US will last that long.
I'm trying to make 'em work harder.
No Car, No TV, No cellphone.
Careful with computers, as far as reasonably possible.
Personal stuff on external drives that are only connected to computers when said computers are not connected to the internet.
Remove your computer HDD and run it from a live OS cd and if you want to use an external HDD don't forget to encrypt it.
I run TOR browser bundle just to tick off the snoops. Google it!
I have a 2005 crown vic, but quit driving it when I learned it has an event recorder.
Well there's always a bright side. Here's my prediction:
The Feral guvmint will step in and FIX this problem of privacy once and for all by MANDATING that the only surveillance devices permitted in your television sets are government approved surveillance devices. They just managed to pull this off in the automotive industry, why would television sets be any different!
Welcome to the USSA bitchez!
Who do you think gave the technology to Samsung?
That's easy...Apple. If what you are getting at is that the CIA actually "created something useful" then you are sadly mistaken. The ONLY thing the CIA has created exists in your Ukrainian fantasies.
Go climb a wall of cocks, with your mouth.
I did, and guess who I found up top...your mother.
Your good work is duly noted by our future mussy overlords.
Unfortunately, I have a Samsung TV. However, I have already disabled the Voice Recognition. Further, tomorrow, I am sending a certified letter opting out of this section of the Samsung Agreement stating such feature has been disabled and that any information gather by Samsung constitutes a voilation of my Constituion Rights and is therefore inadmissable as evidence as the agreement has been nullified without my consent as the feature has been disabled. If the agreement is disagreeable to Samsung, then the full amount of the purchase price of the set is due immediate as the agreement constitutes a material and misleading portion of the contract of original sale of which said agreement was not included, nor could be reasonable seen as necessary in securing a television set.
Furthermore, when you buy hardware that requires software to operate it, they do not tell you that you have to sign a licensing agreement to run the hardware at point of purchase.
That Microsoft OS is yours on purchase. There is no licensing agreement. I once asked the check out clerk when buying a computer, is it all mine when I purchased it. She said yes. As far as I know, that is a contract is it not?
I would love to take a class action against all these jokers and their scams.
They won't tell you who the alleged "third party "is.
Violates privacy laws.
That won't help.
They can listen through your dish washer.
Or your kids happy meal toy.
Good luck. And write your Congressman. You sure you're OK?
Been nice knowing you. Never piss off your TV.
Haven't had a Tee Vee for 8 years. But I am sure my laptop listens to me ....
BINGO! You're one of the smart people understanding that.
Get it, "Smart", pun not intended
That's not your laptop, it's the coffee maker ;-)
On my laptop, I have translucent tape over my webcam and a small sandwich of tissue paper and foil taped over my microphone.
The tinfoil hat's getting uncomfortable though - don't wear it all the time ;-)
The answer is simple. Marry it.
Once you are married to it, it stops listening :p
I bought a new computer last week, needed one, make my living from it. First thing I did is taped the camera lens and I put my radio close to it so no one could easily hear what I am saying.
We need to charge these people with break enter and theft, for that is what they are doing and it starts with NSA, CIA, FBI. Google, Apple and Microsoft.
+100
"I don't care, I'm not a criminal, I don't care if govt/corporations spy on me"
Sheeple attitude
Yeah, apparently it's constitutionally okay for some people to just give up other people's 4th amendment rights.
they can read your lips, flat screens baby
You could always uninstall the driver. I sure as hell can't make stuff work without it.
You people aren't evil enough. Gov't gets a FISA warrant to turn your Samsung microphone on even though you turned it off.
Not evil enough? Wait until someone spoofs your IP with a conversation between you and your co-conspirators plotting to kill <some elected official>. Watch how long it takes .gov to throw together a quick reaction team. Swatting to the Samsung level.