Author Disconnects 1 Smart TV to Block ACR Tracking and Third-Party Data Sharing
Updated
Updated · How-To Geek · Jul 19
Author Disconnects 1 Smart TV to Block ACR Tracking and Third-Party Data Sharing
3 articles · Updated · How-To Geek · Jul 19
Summary
An author took a smart TV fully offline—unplugging Ethernet and disabling Wi-Fi—to stop it from sending viewing data and other telemetry to outside companies.
Pi-hole DNS logs drove the move, showing requests not just to streaming services but also to logging, event, push, voice and TV-partner domains, including one tied to Automatic Content Recognition technology.
LG lets users disable many tracking-related features, but the author said key controls were buried behind labels such as Live Plus, which the TV says may collect, process and share viewing information with third parties.
An old Apple TV replaced the TV's built-in apps, while an IR blaster and Home Assistant restored local control for inputs, volume and app launching without relying on webOS.
The case highlights a broader privacy trade-off in connected TVs: even content played through external devices or DVDs can still be monitored by ACR if the screen remains online.