GoKawiilThe Verge surveys major TV makers on data-collection practices via 17-question questionnaire
A senior reviewer sent 11 TV and streaming device companies—including Amazon, Apple, Google, LG, Roku, Samsung and TCL—17 yes-or-no questions about how they collect, store and share user data, such as recorded audio, screenshots of viewing activity, and cloud data sharing. Seven companies responded with named spokespeople, while Hisense did not reply to any emails and others declined to answer fully.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The uneven willingness of companies to answer directly suggests that privacy transparency varies widely across the smart TV industry, despite shared practices of data collection. Consumers relying on dense privacy policies may find it difficult to compare real differences in how their viewing and audio data are handled without efforts like this questionnaire.
- 11 companies were asked 17 direct yes/no questions about TV data collection practices.
- Amazon, Apple, Google, LG, Roku, Samsung and TCL provided named spokesperson responses.
- Hisense did not respond at all, while other companies declined to fully answer.
Apple TV 4K streaming device — If you're worried about smart TV spying, pairing a privacy-conscious streaming box like the Apple TV 4K with any dumb display lets you keep content streaming separate from the TV's own data-collecting software. Apple has a stronger track record on privacy policies than many smart TV makers, making it a solid alternative for streaming without the built-in snooping concerns raised in the article.
See Apple TV 4K streaming device on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — John Higgins, 2026-11-11
Published there as: “I asked every TV manufacturer 17 questions about how they spy on you”
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