How to Protect Your Smart TV From Tracking and Unwanted Ads
A smart TV can collect far more information than the programmes you watch. Viewing history, searches, app activity, device identifiers and voice commands may be used to personalise recommendations or target advertising. Some sets also monitor what appears on screen, including content from a connected game console or Blu-ray player.
Australian households often combine free-to-air channels with Netflix, Stan, Binge, Kayo, SBS On Demand and ABC iview, creating a large stream of viewing data. A few changes to the television, streaming apps and home network can reduce this collection without turning a modern TV into a basic display.
Check the Privacy Controls First
Start in the television’s settings menu and look for sections called Privacy, Terms, Advertising, Smart Features, Voice Recognition or Viewing Information Services. Manufacturers use different labels, but the relevant options usually control personalised advertising, content recommendations, diagnostic data and automatic content recognition (ACR).
ACR can identify programmes, adverts and other material displayed on the screen. It may be enabled during the initial setup, when users quickly accept every default option. Disable ACR, personalised recommendations and interest-based advertising where possible. Also review permissions for the microphone, camera and location services; a television in a Sydney lounge room rarely needs location access to stream a film.
Privacy policies can be lengthy, yet a quick search for “advertising”, “viewing data”, “voice” and “third parties” reveals what matters. This broader debate about data collection is reflected in Apple’s privacy debate, where business decisions increasingly intersect with expectations about personal information.
Reduce Data Exposure From Apps
Every streaming service has its own privacy settings, so changing the TV’s main advertising option will not cover everything. Open the account pages for Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and local services such as Stan or Kayo. Turn off targeted advertising, limit personalised recommendations if offered, and remove apps that are no longer used.
Avoid installing unofficial streaming apps or “free movie” services from unknown sources. They may request excessive permissions, display aggressive adverts or expose the television to malicious code. The Google Play Store on Android TV and the relevant app store on other platforms are safer starting points, though popular stores do not guarantee perfect privacy.
Use separate profiles for children and guests. A child’s viewing history can otherwise influence recommendations across the household, while guest accounts reduce the amount of personal activity attached to the main profile. Check whether voice searches are saved in the associated Google, Amazon or manufacturer account, and delete old recordings when the service permits it.
Limit Advertising Through the Home Network
A router can provide an additional privacy layer by blocking known advertising and tracking domains for every device. DNS services such as NextDNS, Control D or a reputable filtered DNS provider can reduce telemetry from smart TVs, although some blocking may interfere with programme guides, app logins or updates. A network-wide blocker such as Pi-hole offers greater control for technically confident households.
The safest approach is gradual: change the DNS settings, test the services used by the family and keep a record of any blocked domain that causes a problem. Do not rely on a single ad-blocking list, since aggressive lists can break catch-up television and sports streaming during a busy NBN evening.
| Approach | Privacy benefit | Possible drawback | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable TV tracking settings | Stops several built-in data uses | Menus differ by brand and model | Every smart TV owner |
| Remove unused apps | Reduces permissions and background activity | Some apps may need to be reinstalled | Families with older televisions |
| Filter DNS at the router | Covers the TV and other devices | Can break features if configured too strictly | Households comfortable with router settings |
| Use a separate streaming stick | Easier to replace or reset | Adds another device and remote | TVs with poor privacy controls |
| Disconnect the TV from Wi-Fi | Provides the strongest reduction | Smart apps and updates stop working | Viewers using a set-top box or console |
Keep the Television Off the Main Network
A separate guest network or dedicated Wi-Fi network can isolate the television from laptops, phones, printers and smart-home devices. This does not make tracking impossible, but it limits the damage if the TV platform or an installed app is compromised. Many Australian routers supplied with NBN plans include a guest-network feature, even if it is disabled by default.
For stronger separation, connect the television to a streaming box or stick on a restricted network and leave the TV itself offline. Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV and other devices still collect data, so their privacy settings require attention, but a replaceable streaming device can receive security updates for longer than the television’s built-in software.
If the set has a microphone or camera, inspect the physical hardware. Some models include a microphone in the remote, while others support hands-free voice control through the television. Disable wake-word detection when it is unnecessary, and unplug external cameras after video calls. Covering a camera is a simple safeguard, but it does not stop audio collection.
Maintain Updates and Account Security
Security updates fix weaknesses that can expose accounts, apps and network information. Enable automatic updates if the manufacturer has a reliable support record, or check manually every few months. Older televisions may stop receiving patches, particularly after several years, so a connected streaming device can be a safer long-term option than leaving unsupported software online.
Use a unique password for the TV manufacturer’s account and activate two-factor authentication where available. Do the same for streaming services, especially if payment details are stored. Sign out before selling, recycling or giving away a television; a factory reset should follow, but account removal should happen first.
A privacy-conscious setup still needs to be convenient enough for everyday use. Keep Freeview and essential streaming apps, remove redundant services, and accept that blocking every connection may disable useful features. The practical target is to prevent unnecessary profiling while preserving reliable access to the content the household actually watches.
Create a Simple Privacy Routine
Review the television’s privacy menu after every major software update, because settings can be reset or new sharing options introduced. Recheck app permissions when installing a service for a short event, such as a sports tournament in Melbourne or a new series release, then delete the app when it is no longer needed.
Parents should review profiles and voice features with children, while everyone in the household should know that a television can record searches and infer viewing habits. For more practical technology and privacy projects, the WeWEAT ideas section offers a useful place to explore related fixes.
Tonight, open the TV’s Privacy settings, switch off ACR and personalised advertising, then record the date of the change in a household password manager.