Comment on Big Surprise—Nobody Wants 8K TVs

• nulluser@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Some of these devices have even been known to look for other similar devices within WiFi range, and phone home that way (i.e., send analytics data via a neighbor’s connected TV as a proxy).

  Ummm, wut? I’m going to need some quality sources to back this claim up.

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  • BassTurd@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

    Yea, this paragraph feels like fear mongering. I’m not saying OP didn’t see that somewhere, but from a tech standpoint, the TV still has to authenticate with any device it’s trying to piggy back off the wifi for. Perhaps if there were any open network in range it could theoretically happen, but I’m guessing that it’s not.

    I do remember reading that some smart TV was able to use the speakers as a mic to record in room audio and pass that out if connected. It may have been a theoretical thing but it might have been a zero day I read about. It’s been some years now.

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    • shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

      Actually, it’s true. Amazon’s sidewalk works in a similar way, where if the sensor is not connected to the internet, it will talk to local Echo devices like your speakers that are connected to the internet and pass the data to Amazon through your device’s network.

      TVs will look for open Wi-Fi networks. And failing that, they could very well do this exact same thing.

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      • BassTurd@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

        I forgot the Sidewalk is a thing. While that tech does kind of do what OP was saying, Sidewalk is limited to only Amazon Sidewalk compatible devices, like the echo line and ring. Just at a quick glance, there are no smart TVs that can connect to that network.

        That said, it is an opt out service, which it awful. No smart TVs will connect, but I’d recommend disabling for anyone that uses Amazon devices.

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• dan@upvote.au ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s hard to find devices like that. I think the issue is that regular customers are demanding the smart features, and using them without caring about privacy aspects.

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• vithigar@lemmy.ca ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  I know that sounds ridiculous, since I can “simply not use them,” but I want to spend my money on an appliance, not a consumer data collection tool.

  For what it’s worth you’re actually spending the manufacturer’s money (or at least some of their profit margin) on a data collection device that they won’t get to use.

  Smart devices are cheaper because the data collection subsidizes them.

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• FreedomAdvocate@lemmy.net.au ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Some of these devices have even been known to look for other similar devices within WiFi range, and phone home that way (i.e., send analytics data via a neighbor’s connected TV as a proxy).

  Image

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• ccunix@sh.itjust.works ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  They are called “Digital Signage Panels” and they cost an arm and a leg.

  The data collection subsidises the cost of your TV, so that brings the cost down. Also, digital signage panels are rated for 24/7 use, which significantly increases their cost.

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• lengau@midwest.social ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Honestly? Get a large monitor and a sound bar.

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• olympicyes@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

  Your tv price is subsidized by the presence of those network connections. I recommend using universal remote.

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