New smart TVs introduce data collection feature raising privacy concerns

New smart TVs are featuring Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), which collects data on what viewers watch and for how long. This feature aims to improve recommendations but also serves as a data collection tool for advertisers and streaming services. ACR settings are often difficult to find and vary by TV brand. For example, Vizio labels it "Viewing Data," while Samsung calls it "Viewing Information Services." Users can disable ACR to protect their viewing privacy. While ACR can enhance content suggestions, it raises privacy concerns. Users are advised to locate and turn off this feature to keep their viewing habits private.