Samsung Says Their TVs Aren't Really Spying On You 171
lightbox32 writes "Samsung has finally responded to an article recently published by HD Guru titled 'Is your TV watching you?' [See this related Slashdot post] which discussed the fact that new features in Samsung's top 2012 models — including built-in microphones, HDTV camera, wireless and wired Internet connection, built-in browser with voice to text conversion, face recognition and more — could be used to collect unprecedented personal information and invade our privacy. Samsung has now provided their privacy policy, which may or may not lay the issue to rest." I vote for "not" — conspiracy theories about mandatory (or just secret) surveillance equipment in consumer electronics is just too persistent, even when the technical capabilities turn out to be a hoax; when the equipment is actually all in place and the user is protected only by a corporate honor policy, it's hard to be sanguine. (I recall there was a much rumored secret capability for law enforcement agencies to secretly and remotely turn on the internal microphones in PCs meeting the PC 97 spec, and this was an integral part of the plan. Since the government insists that telecom equipment have built-in backdoors, why should that sound all that crazy?)
Paranoid? (Score:5, Funny)
Well, if you're so paranoid, get some tape and cover over the camera and microphone, or take it apart and disconnect it.
But, maybe even light bulbs have cameras and microphones in them now, using the powerlines to transmit the data back..
Winston! (Score:2, Funny)
"The instructress had called them to attention again. 'And now let's see which of us can touch our toes!' she said enthusiastically. 'Right over from the hips, please, comrades. One-two! One- two! ...' "
I can see why Americans are in outrage and upset about the prospect of mandatory exercise via the Televue screen :)
In Soviet Russia television is watching YOU! (Score:5, Funny)
In Soviet Russia television is watching YOU!
Of course... (Score:5, Funny)
Samsung Says Their TVs Aren't Really Spying On You
Of course they'll be saying that. They'd be crazy NOT to say it.
I mean, they have enough patent lawsuits from Apple already.
Simple time tested solution (Score:1, Funny)
I've never understood the anxiety that this kind of thing causes. If you want to stop your tv or toaster or lighbulb from spying on you then:
1. go to a kitchenware place
2. buy some cooking foil
3. craft it into the shape of a baseball cap
4. position it as high as possible on your body
This works for all types of covert stuff that the man uses, with the exception of dream-robbing.
Here I am... (Score:5, Funny)
FTFY (Score:4, Funny)
Your blue polka-dot boxers, the ones you wore this morning, may have a hole in them. We wouldn't know, since we're not spying on you.
Re:Paranoid? (Score:5, Funny)
But, maybe even light bulbs have cameras and microphones in them now, using the powerlines to transmit the data back..
Well, THAT certainly explains the Incandescent Bulb Ban, the installation of "Smart Meters", and that huge new NSA facility in Utah. But we need to connect it to HAARP, Chemtrails, and Obama's Birth Certificate for true conspiracy greatness. Extra points if you work in Black Helicopters, the Rothschilds, or the Tri-Lateral Commission.....
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Paranoid? (Score:5, Funny)
doesn't like every laptop now have a built-in microphone, an HDTV camera, a wireless and wired Internet connection, a browser and software with voice to text conversion, face recognition and more?
we're gonna need a lot of tape.
shit, maybe this story was a plant by Big Tape! 3M has deep pockets. that's the real conspiracy.