Samsung's voice-recording smart TVs breach privacy law, campaigners claim
US consumer rights group Epic claims Samsung has breached the privacy of its users, and is demanding an FCC investigation
Samsung could be investigated by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US following a complaint which claims its smart TVs record private conversations without informing users.
US consumer rights organisation the Electronic Privacy Information
Center (Epic) accuses Samsung of breaking federal privacy laws including
the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which both concern the collection and disclosure of electronic communications.
“Samsung routinely intercepts and records the private communications
of consumers in their homes. Consumers who have learned of this practice
have described it is as both “unfair” and “deceptive”,” said Epic in
the complain.
“Samsung’s attempts to disclaim its intrusive surveillance activities
by means of a “privacy notice” do not diminish the harm to American
consumers. It is incumbent upon the Federal Trade Commission to take
action in this matter, and to enjoin Samsung and other companies that engage in similar practices, from such unlawful activities.”
Epic files FTC complaint over Samsung smart TV voice recording accusing the company of breaching privacy laws. Photograph: Kārlis Dambrāns/flickr
