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Samsung Faces Backlash Over TV Capable Of Spying

Consumers are suspicious of the new Samsung smart TV's voice recording capability. (PRNewsFoto/M-GO/AP)
Consumers are suspicious of the new Samsung smart TV's voice recording capability. (PRNewsFoto/M-GO/AP)

Samsung Electronics is downplaying the possibility that its Smart TVs are spying on viewers. The statement comes after reporters found a statement in the privacy policy for Samsung’s Smart TV warning users about how their voices could be captured when they use the voice recognition feature.

The policy reads: "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.”

The company released a statement, stressing that users have to activate the voice recognition software, and press a button on the remote control to ask the TV a question and activate the feature that is causing concern.

Jason Bellini of The Wall Street Journal joins Here & Now’s Peter O’Dowd to discuss the concerns and fallout over Samsung’s Smart TV.

Guest

  • Jason Bellini, senior producer at the Wall Street Journal. He tweets @jasonbellini
  • Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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    The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

    If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

    Now all of that is at risk.

    Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

    Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

    Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.