Do Smart Monitors Track You? What Buyers Should Know
A smart monitor can do far more than display a PC. Built-in apps, ACR, and advertising systems can introduce additional privacy considerations. The post Do Smart Monitors Track You? What Buyers Should Know appeared first on TechRepublic .
Smart monitors offer more than just a display, as they can run apps, serve ads, and gather usage data, which means privacy settings should be a key factor in the purchasing decision. These devices can collect information through their built-in operating systems, apps, advertising services, and features like automatic content recognition (ACR). However, the extent of tracking depends on the specific model, and not all internet-connected displays gather the same type of data.
ACR identifies content displayed on the monitor and can be used for recommendations, audience measurement, and advertising. For instance, RTINGS tested a Samsung Odyssey S32DG80 smart monitor, and with ACR consent enabled, researchers noticed regular traffic to Samsung services related to content recognition. Disabling ACR stopped or significantly reduced this traffic, indicating that ACR-related tracking is possible on smart monitors but not a universal feature.
LG and Samsung smart monitors share similar operating-system families with their smart TVs, and privacy policies from LG, Samsung, and Acer allow some collected information to be shared with advertisers. Moreover, smart monitors can run streaming services and third-party apps, which may have their own data-collection practices in addition to what the monitor platform gathers.
ACR differs from recording conversations through a microphone, such as the concerns raised in a Google Assistant case where unintended voice activation led to private conversations being recorded. Instead, ACR analyzes content on the display. It's crucial to consider the specific type of data that a device processes rather than treating all tracking as the same behavior.
When buying a smart monitor, treat it as an internet-connected device, similar to a computer. Before purchase, review the specific model's privacy settings during setup and after installation. Focus on the exact data collected by the device rather than assuming all smart monitors track users in the same way. Security is also important, and the US Cyber Trust Mark can help buyers evaluate the security practices of eligible connected devices, including information on software support and updates.
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