We buy new TVs to enjoy the latest tech and visuals and don't appreciate invasive spyware features that gather our data without our knowledge. Unfortunately, TV brands see things in a different light and add features, like Automated Content Recognition (ACR), which are often turned on my default and compromise your privacy. This feature is now found on most new models, and today I'll show you how to disable it on Hisense TVs.
Hisense differs from other TV brands by offering multiple OS options to choose from. Most of its TVs sold globally run on its proprietary Vidaa OS, which is now being rebranded as Home OS. In the US it sells TVs with other popular platforms. Today's guide will be on how to disable ACR on a Hisense TV running the Vidaa OS. You can also check out our guides to disable ACR on other Hisense platforms, like Google TV, Roku TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
What is ACR, and why is it an issue?
An invasion of privacy
ACR is a TV function that takes screenshots of whatever content you're watching every few milliseconds. It also gathers other data like your IP address and ad completion data. The data is then converted to a digital fingerprint and uploaded to the brand's servers. They then use the data to analyze your viewing habits and share it with third parties to increase their ad revenue.
ACR is a TV function that takes screenshots of whatever content you're watching every few milliseconds.
According to the Hisense user agreement, ACR may obtain information about your smart TV, including,” device information, such as your device model, operating system version, IP address, SmartTV Identifier, device configurations, and settings and other device identifiers.”
It also collects “your smart TV viewing history, including information about the networks, channels, and programs viewed on your smart TV and the amount of time spent viewing…