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Ask Slashdot: Should I Allow A 'Smart TV' To Connect To The Internet?

Posted by EditorDavid on from the Internet-of-TVs dept.

Slashdot reader GovCheese has a question: I use Roku and also the client apps on my gaming consoles for Amazon and Netflix. But it seems less prudent to allow my television, a Samsung, to connect to the internet. My Phillips Blu-ray wants to connect also. But I'd rather not. Is it illogical to allow Roku and a console to connect to streaming services but prevent a "smart" television from doing so?
Slashdot reader gurps_npc argues there's a distinction between devices that need internet access and devices that want it, adding "Smart TVs overcharge in privacy invasion for the minimal advantages they offer."

Leave your own best answers in the comments. Should you let a smart TV connect to the internet?

6 of 299 comments (clear)

  1. Blu-Ray yes, Smart TV no by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Informative

    The Blu-Ray player needs to connect to the internet for updates to be able to play the latest discs. The Smart TV does not, unless you are actually using its "smart" features.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:Blu-Ray yes, Smart TV no by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      Funny, my parents BD player hasn't once updated and it plays all BD's.

  2. Spying? by Gaygirlie · · Score: 4, Informative

    Didn't Samsung get caught for their TVs always listening to everything around them, with no permission asked? LG was caught snooping on all files and filenames on the network, if my memory serves. Then there were a couple of others whose names I've already forgotten..Heck, pretty much every TV-manufacturer has gotten caught with their pants down by this point. A Roku is somewhat of a different beasts, because it needs Internet for streaming. I would hazard a guess that they track whatever you do on the Roku-box itself, but may not go to the same lengths as TV-manufacturers do, when it comes to overall spying in general.

    Personally, I would rather give the TV a middle finger than any connectivity, whatsoever.

    1. Re:Spying? by Drakonblayde · · Score: 3, Informative

      The Roku's do like to send data back to Roku's log servers.

      However, that's easily preventable. I use PiHole to blacklist their telemetry domains and it doesn't interfere with the normal operation of the box

  3. Re:Firmware updates by WaffleMonster · · Score: 4, Informative

    Pretty much the only reason I let my "smart" TV connect to the Internet is for firmware updates. Don't think I've had one in a while though now so assuming they've stopped being developed I may disconnect it soon.

    All are updatable via USB stick.

  4. Re:Firmware updates by HalAtWork · · Score: 4, Informative

    Why even get firmware updates? My TV worked fine out of the box so I've never updated it. I've heard some that did got bricked TVs, and some had ransomware. F that S.

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    Twinstiq, game news