‘It was so satisfying when I threw a rock through the screen’: the people sick of being spied on by their smart TV

Some viewers are opting out of smart TVs due to concerns over privacy and data collection.

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A growing number of tech-savvy viewers are choosing to avoid smart TVs due to concerns over privacy and data collection. According to The Guardian — Culture, some viewers are opting for traditional, 'dumb' TVs that do not have internet connectivity. This decision is driven by a desire to maintain control over their devices and minimize the amount of data being collected.

Dan, a computer science graduate with decades of experience in telecommunications, is one such viewer. He explains that the technology in smart TVs is not intimidating, but rather 'increasingly enshittified.' Dan's master's degree and experience suggest that he is well-equipped to understand the implications of smart TV technology.

Other viewers, such as Erin McQuiston and Matthew Schroyer, a couple from Connecticut, are also choosing to keep their TVs disconnected from the internet. McQuiston notes that they have never used their TV as anything other than a display, and that the constant updates and patches required for smart TVs have been a source of frustration.

Schroyer, a software engineer, has intentionally kept their TV disconnected from the internet as a rule of the house. He expresses concern that people are increasingly having to be IT experts to get the bare minimum enjoyable experience out of smart TVs.

Helen Northmore, a 51-year-old from Wales who works in AI delivery for the UK Health Security Agency, is also worried about the implications of smart TVs. She and her partner have chosen to keep their devices disconnected from the internet, despite having to pay a premium for traditional TVs.

According to Tom Parsons, TV and audiovisual editor at What Hi-Fi?, the demand for 'dumber' models is increasing, but most shoppers still want their TVs to be catch-all entertainment systems. As a result, the dumb TV market is almost nonexistent.

Paul, a public servant from Australia, has found it difficult to find a traditional TV that meets his needs. After scouring the city for three weeks, he discovered a single 40-inch TV without any internet connectivity.