Your Smart TV May Be Listening to You: Check These Settings Now to Protect Your Privacy

It may sound surprising, but your smart TV could be doing more than streaming your favorite shows—it might also be listening to your private conversations. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a strong warning about privacy risks linked to modern smart TVs. According to the advisory, misconfigured privacy settings can allow your conversations to be recorded and transmitted to a company’s servers, creating serious security and privacy concerns. As the use of IoT devices continues to grow across India, this alert has become more important than ever.

Your TV May Be Listening Even When You’re Not Talking to It

In a recent cyber-awareness video released by Cyberdost, the official safety handle of I4C, experts explained how smart TVs today come with advanced voice-recognition technologies. These features allow the devices to understand voice commands, but they also mean that the built-in microphone can remain active in the background at all times.

This microphone can pick up anything you say around it—whether you are giving a voice command or simply chatting with your family. If your TV is connected to the internet, this audio may automatically be uploaded to the manufacturer’s cloud servers. Companies can use this data for targeted advertising, analytics, product improvements, or other purposes you may not even be aware of.

Why This Is a Serious Concern

The warning highlights multiple risks associated with always-on smart devices:

• Always-active microphones: Smart TVs often keep their microphones running to detect wake words or commands.

• Automatic data transfer: Conversations can be recorded and sent to servers without your explicit consent.

• Increased risk on internet-connected TVs: The more your TV interacts with online services, the higher the chances of data exposure.

• Facial recognition features: Some advanced models use built-in cameras to scan faces and deliver personalized recommendations or targeted ads, raising additional concerns.

These features, although designed to enhance convenience, can unintentionally compromise your privacy if not properly managed.

How to Protect Yourself: Privacy Settings You Must Check Today

Cyberdost has shared several essential safety tips to help users protect their personal information. Whether you purchased a new smart TV or have been using one for years, reviewing these settings is crucial:

1. Disable the Voice Recognition Feature

If you do not actively use voice commands, turn off this feature. This significantly reduces the risk of background conversations being captured.

2. Switch Off Microphone and Camera Access

Some TVs give you the option to restrict hardware access just like smartphones do. Disable the microphone and camera, especially when they are not needed.

3. Turn Off Unnecessary Data-Sharing Permissions

Many TVs have options related to data collection, content recommendations, analytics, and advertising. Disable any setting that is not essential.

4. Connect Your TV to the Internet Only When Required

For tasks like software updates or specific apps, you can temporarily connect your TV to Wi-Fi. Keeping it offline the rest of the time helps reduce data exposure.

Why This Warning Matters Now

India has seen rapid growth in smart TV sales over the past few years. With more homes adopting internet-connected devices—from TVs to smart speakers—the risks associated with IoT products have also increased. Experts warn that ignoring these risks can lead to:

• Leakage of personal conversations

• Unauthorized profiling by companies

• Potential misuse of audio or video data

• Higher vulnerability to hacking attempts

Cybersecurity professionals emphasize that user awareness is the first line of defense. Simple changes in privacy settings can prevent misuse of sensitive information while still allowing you to enjoy smart features.

What To Do If You Face Fraud or Suspicious Activity

If you believe you have been a victim of cybercrime—including fraud linked to smart devices—you should immediately contact the national helpline 1930. You can also file a detailed complaint on the official cybercrime portal www.cybercrime.gov.in.