A report makes alarming privacy claims about Samsung smart TVs — but here's why I'm not worried

Samsung smart TVs have come under scrutiny due to claims of on-device AI listening for dog barks, baby cries, and detecting microphones in soundbars and other devices. While the claims may seem alarming, the details paint a less sinister picture. Some of the supposed spying is for features that Samsung has happily advertised, such as the Family Care and Pet Care features, which were designed to alert owners to their children's or pets' cries.

These features were discontinued due to low usage and persistent false positives. The AI baby crying detection was a feature advertised by Samsung, but the company has since stopped using it. The dog barking detection system, also known as Pet Care, works similarly to the Family Care feature but for dogs. The TV only checks for external microphones, likely to enable karaoke apps or video calling apps.

While the privacy policy and data collection practices may be questionable, the story does not suggest that Samsung is secretly spying on users. More data is expected to be released, which could reveal additional information about the TVs' data collection practices. For now, it seems that the TVs have a privacy policy issue rather than a sinister snooping plan.