Is Your Roku TV Spying On You? Probably, But Here's How To Put An End To It

Whenever I hear about consumer data tracking, my half-century-old brain dredges up that Hall and Oates hit called "Private Eyes" with the refrain "they're watching you." I don't mean to incite Big Brother paranoia; I know I'm not being spied on everywhere I go, especially not in the seclusion of my home. But while using streaming devices, you can almost guarantee that your entertainment and preferences are being tracked.

The culprit is better known as Big Data -- arguably less invasive and sinister, but still annoying to some people -- and there are ways to mitigate that on your streaming devices if you're one of them. While some data collection is necessary for basic functionality, many streaming devices collect more than required; so much so that you essentially lose control of your privacy, fall into filter bubbles (viewing algorithms that are more narrow), and receive more targeted ads than expected.

General Strategies For Regaining Control Over Your Privacy

Most streaming devices have privacy settings that allow you to control what data is collected and shared. Take the time to explore these settings and disable any tracking features that you're not comfortable with. Many streaming platforms allow you to limit ad tracking or opt out of personalized ads. This not only reduces the amount of data collected about your viewing habits, it also limits targeted advertising.

A virtual private network (VPN) can encrypt your internet traffic and mask your IP address, making it more difficult for streaming services and advertisers to track your activity. Also, be mindful of voice commands pretty much every streaming device has voice control capabilities, so you should be aware that your voice commands may be recorded and stored. Consider disabling voice control or just use it sparingly.

Disconnecting your streaming device from the internet when you're not using it is another way to prevent data collection in the background. Beyond that, here are device-specific steps you can take for some of the most popular streaming services.

Device-Specific Steps For Popular Streaming Services

Alice's privacy policy states that the company collects information from your Apple ID, including what content you're playing, when you played it, the device you played it from, and where you paused or stopped watching (so you can resume play on another device). Additionally, the company charts a detailed history of all playback activity for Apple TV channels and Apple TV Plus.

Apple admits to collecting demographic info (e.g., your birthday and street address) as well as information about your stored photos and videos. It primarily uses ACR to do this, and while you can turn ACR off, the Roku Stick may still collect and share data about the apps or other streaming services you use.

Amazon Fire TV devices collect data on how often and how long customers use apps on Fire TV, your device's language selection, your TV's display size, and some connectivity options -- doing so to improve its service and devices. It also gathers data on customers' use of Amazon devices and their features, like home screen navigation and device settings choices.

Fire TV devices will still show ads, but it will no longer be able to track your data for marketing, view how often and how long you use downloaded apps, or give you targeted advertising. If you're serious about your privacy, you must take a comprehensive approach and limit data collection across all your devices.

Why Do Streaming Devices Collect My Data?

Your streaming device -- whether it's an Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Chromecast, or another platform -- is programmed by default to collect and share your viewing habits, search queries, and possibly other personal data. This built-in feature enables companies to target you with specific ads, personalize your content recommendations, or even sell your information to third parties.

Streaming devices continue to gain popularity as home entertainment enhancements because they are affordable and offer quick access to a smorgasbord of streaming services, like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and countless others. These gadgets undoubtedly provide convenience and entertainment. At the same time, they raise concerns about privacy and security for many people.

If you're concerned about your privacy, it's essential to take steps to protect yourself. This includes limiting data collection across all your devices, using a VPN, and being mindful of voice commands. By taking these steps, you can regain control over your personal data and enjoy streaming services with peace of mind.