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Ask Slashdot: Can Smart TVs Insert Ads Into Your Movies? (gigaom.com)
dryriver writes:
Back in 2015, the owners of some Samsung smart TVs complained about their viewing of films and other content being constantly interrupted by a recurring Pepsi ad. It turned out that yes, the Samsung TV itself was inserting the ad into content.
Samsung said at the time that it was a software glitch that caused this. They left a function on by default that should have been off when they shipped the TVs. But it proves that Smart TVs have an unnerving capability built into them -- the ability to interrupt content playback with product ads actually stored on the TV itself.
So here's the question -- what if all Smart TV makers suddenly decide that having the ability to push custom ads to the owner of the TV is "fair game"? What if they decide "You want to own this model of TV for XXX Dollars? Well, you can have it, but we'll reserve the right to show you customized advertising as you are viewing stuff with it"? Are there any laws anywhere that would protect TV owners from such intrusive advertising?
Samsung said at the time that it was a software glitch that caused this. They left a function on by default that should have been off when they shipped the TVs. But it proves that Smart TVs have an unnerving capability built into them -- the ability to interrupt content playback with product ads actually stored on the TV itself.
So here's the question -- what if all Smart TV makers suddenly decide that having the ability to push custom ads to the owner of the TV is "fair game"? What if they decide "You want to own this model of TV for XXX Dollars? Well, you can have it, but we'll reserve the right to show you customized advertising as you are viewing stuff with it"? Are there any laws anywhere that would protect TV owners from such intrusive advertising?
In Canada, ask your solicitor whether the device is "suitable for the purpose sold", ie, to watch broadcast tv without interference, and if the seller is "obtaining money upon a false and fradulent pretense", by rerpresenting a lease as a sale, and by representing the device as being as TV, as opposed to a "telescreen" (ie, from 1984).
Logically, one can make numerous arguements that the devices break statute law, but you need a lawyer to research the case law and see if the courts will countenance your complaints. And that will differ from one legal regime to another.
davecb@spamcop.net