Some Smart TVs have a built-in camera. If privacy and security are important to you, you’d better turn them off. This is how you protect your privacy.
Modern Smart TVs are often equipped with cameras. You can see here how you can ensure that they don’t keep an eye on you day and night. (Source: depositphotos.com / guillemdebalanzo)
- Can you be watched on the TV?
- Does the Smart TV have a built-in camera?
Disable Smart TV Camera via Settings
Just tape the camera
More security with an external webcam
- Can the TV hear you?
Televisions are becoming more and more modern and so it is hardly surprising that many modern Smart TVs nowadays also have built-in cameras. They are intended to make operation easier and offer special additional functions. However, a constantly switched on camera triggers a queasy feeling in many people.
Even with webcams on PCs and laptops, there is the problem that they can be hacked and the owner can be observed unintentionally. Some manufacturers have been accused of unintentionally collecting data about users via the cameras. Is that also conceivable with Smart TV cameras?
Can you be watched on the TV?
Basically yes. There is often a risk of hacking if the Smart TV is connected to the Internet via an unsecured WLAN. But even secure networks can be cracked by experienced hackers. As far as the manufacturers are concerned, you also do not have 100% certainty about what the camera captures.
Buying a Smart TV: Which manufacturer can do what?
What role does the manufacturer play when choosing a smart TV?
Private label or premium manufacturer, LG, Sony or TechniSat? Choosing a smart TV based on the brand is not entirely trivial.
If you want to be on the safe side, you should always switch off your smart TV camera or use a few tricks to ensure that it can no longer collect any private data from you.
Does the Smart TV have a built-in camera?
The location of Smart TV cameras varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and model to model. Philips and Panasonic televisions, for example, often have a fixed, retractable camera above or below the screen.
Since this is retracted when not in use, it usually cannot record any unwanted images. In many Samsung TVs, on the other hand, the camera is permanently attached to the outside, since the devices work with face recognition and voice control, among other things.
Disable Smart TV Camera via Settings
If you are unable to cover the camera with a cloth, for example, due to the position of the camera, you must deactivate the camera via the settings on your television. You can find out how to do this in the user manual for your model.
However, some televisions are equipped with a camera that cannot be switched off via any settings or by pressing a button on the television. But even in this case you don’t have to live with a constant feeling of observation.
Just tape the camera
As with a webcam, you can solve the problem in a few seconds with a piece of masking tape or something similar. You stick this carefully over the camera lens of your Smart TV. Even if it’s on, the camera can no longer watch you.
Be careful not to use sticky tape for this trick. High-tack tape can leave marks on your TV’s casing. Clear scotch tape is also not very suitable for obvious reasons unless you put an opaque piece of paper between the scotch tape and the lens.
More security with an external webcam
If you don’t want to do without a camera despite data protection concerns, you can alternatively connect an external webcam to many Smart TVs and use it for certain functions. Since you can lock them completely when not in use, there is no risk of surveillance.
Can the TV hear you?
No less problematic than the camera are built-in microphones that record voice signals at any time. However, since you do not necessarily need voice control to operate your Smart TV, you can easily deactivate it in the settings at any time. Take a look at the user manual again.
For even more security on your Smart TV, you should always update the device and install the latest updates. With such updates, the manufacturers also increase the security of the devices.
Furthermore, you should only operate your Smart TV via a secure home network. Complex WiFi password and secure encryption standard are mandatory. If you operate your TV set with cable via a LAN network, you also prevent unwanted access from outside via the router.
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