Stop your smart TV from listening to you

Smart TVs contain microphones that can record audio even when voice commands are not in use, posing a privacy risk. These microphones are primarily for features like voice search and assistants, but they can potentially capture conversations. To protect privacy, users can disable these microphones. The most effective method is to check the TV's frame for a physical switch, often labeled "Built-in MIC," which completely cuts power to the microphone. If no physical switch is present, the microphone can be disabled through the TV's settings menu. Users should navigate to sections like System, General, or Privacy and turn off options related to Voice Recognition, Voice Assistant, or Microphone Access. Disabling the microphone does not eliminate all smart features, as many remotes have a push-to-talk button that activates voice control only when pressed. For those who rarely use voice commands, keeping the microphone off is a sensible choice. If voice commands are desired, they can be enabled temporarily. It's important to note that even after disabling the TV's microphone, other voice-enabled devices and apps on the same... download the app to read more