Be careful if you are using Roku, read the Privacy Policy.

Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from.

Audio, electronic, visual, thermal, olfactory, or similar information.

Clarification: after a bit of research it seems the olfactory section pertains to CCPA California law, many places have olfactory in the privacy policy because it is required by the law. I can't believe we reached a point where we have to put olfactory in the privacy policy, but then again it won't be long before Smell-O-Vision becomes reality.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smell-O-Vision

They removed it, archived here: https://archive.ph/YYBuJ

Also have a California ip you get a different privacy policy.

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115 comments

Never give your TV the wifi password.
- The problem is that some TVs (cough Samsung) won't allow you to even use the thing as a monitor until you allow it online.
  
  That would have been an instant return for me.
  
  I've heard tell of this, I've been wondering something. Can you change your wifi password, give it the new one for setup, and then disconnect and restore your typical password and continue to use the TV, or does it need an active connection?
  
  Good question, I've heard rumors that they'll eventually get upset and throw an impassable splash screen until you reconnect, but I've never seen it myself.
  
  You can return it.
  
  My workplace uses Samsung TVs. I found a trick to let it run without connecting to WiFi. On the screen where it asks you to connect to a network, just click right like you wanted to skip it and it will skip it even though it doesn't say that's an option. YMMV though, I can't say if it works for all TVs.
  Better yet, don't buy a Samsung TV but this might come in handy if you happen to have one.
  
  Damn so this already started?
  Is LG also doing this?
  I think current advise is Sony but they are a lot more expensive for the same panel.
  
  Not sure about LG. But it also depends on model as well afaik. Most Samsungs I know that were bought via Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, etc had that issue, but one of my commercial clients bought a couple and it was a non-issue, so ymmv. I typically like Sonys, but I also have a reseller account with them through my wholesaler and get them significantly cheaper than retail.
  
  I have an LG GX and have never experienced this. I’d assume the G line and up won’t have this issue, and to my knowledge even the lower tier C models don’t have this issue. A friend of mine recently got a C3 (I think, idk what they’re up to yet, maybe 4? It’s the newest C model) and it doesn’t have this ad issue either.
  
  I'll be honest, the 3 times I've seen it were Samsungs and purchased at box stores. The rest I have no firsthand experience, but I've seen enough people bitching about it online.
  
  We bought a LG QED 80" 4k at Costco. Not once did I enter a wifi, hasn't asked me at all 6 months later.
  
  Okkk. So you just don't use Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, paramount, NFL, plex, youtube etc?
  
  Just use a hdmi input?
  
  From what device?
  They all spy on u.
  Unless u are using Linux, but majority of people just use whatever is installed on tv
  
  I do indeed use linux, on an unused laptop hidden away in my tv cabinet. I'm fairly confident it's not spying on me... but you never know. Unfortunately you are correct, most people do just use whatever is on the TV, ignorant to the accompanying issues this causes for both themselves and society at large.
  
  Did you know you can connect an external device to your television and get Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, paramount, NFL, plex, youtube etc.
  
  But ofc I do. So my question is - which device are u connecting?
  Unless it's open source and called Kodi or you are connecting some Linux device - they all gonna be spying on u - that's my point.
  
  A rasburry pi 4.
  
  Ok. Congratufuckinglations - you are the o.ooo1 percenter that figured it out and probably uses Kodi on Raspbian?.
  
  Why you angry bro? Now you know that there is a cheap and easy way for you to watch sponge bob with out your tv knowing that you have a thing for the girl squirrel.
  
  Mmm sandy.
  
  Not angry, that was a figure of speech . Which remote and Os do u use for RPI?
  Have like 4 of rpi4b laying around maybe I'll try Kodi again
  
  I've talked to numerous people who have modern Samsung QD OLED and Mini LED TVs and literally not a single one has ever mentioned an issue like this. I'm incredibly skeptical of your claim.
  
  This is false. I just bought a brand-new current-model Samsung QN90D QLED TV. Like any modern device it nags you to connect to WiFi/Ethernet during the setup, but the "decline" button is not hidden and it's completely optional. Not sure if that's on-par with older models, but I just have it connected to my external Roku and several consoles via HDMI. Completely offline. No ads on the home screen (not that I really use it, I just switch inputs). All features are available: 4K, AI upscaling, HDR+, 144hz gaming mode, etc...
- Eh I want to control it with my automation. But it can't connect to the wan. Have firewall rules blocking it.
  
  It is always better to do that shit with a separate gizmo. Ideally, something computery enough that it will not betray you, or cheap enough that you can take a hammer to it when it does.

115 comments