3 On Your Side: Should You Watch What You Say Around Your Smart TV?
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- They are able to connect to the internet, recognize your voice, even follow commands. But do you need to watch what you say around your Smart TV? 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan has information about gadgets eavesdropping on your conversations.
Samsung's Smart TV uses voice recognition technology to enable voice commands. But it's what's buried in Samsung's privacy policy that has people talking. It says, "please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party through your use of voice recognition," It goes on to say that "Samsung is not responsible for these providers' privacy or security practices."
The outside party Samsung is sending your speech to is Nuance, a voice recognition software provider that turns speech into text. Nuance works with other tech companies like LG, Panasonic, and with auto makers like BMW, Ford, Honda and Subaru - so cars will also be listening to your conversations to detect when you say a voice command keyword.
Consumers views are mixed on the technology. Shopper Chris Payne said, "I would not want people to be able to get into my living room. I don't think to me the benefit of that service wouldn't outweigh the potential danger." While Min Kim said, "I personally love them and I understand why they're collecting that data. Most of the reason for collecting the data is to improve recognition, improving what the features of the device can do."
Samsung says it takes consumer privacy very seriously and that it doesn't retain voice data or sell it to third parties. The company points out that personal information can be protected when the voice command feature is deactivated and the TV is disconnected from the internet.