Streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast make binge-watching easy—but they’re also tracking your habits behind the scenes.
Most smart TVs and platforms collect data on what you watch, when, and how you use their apps. While this helps with personalised recommendations and ads, it also means your privacy is at stake.
If that makes you uncomfortable, here’s how to take back control:
1. Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon collects "frequency and duration of use of apps on Fire TV" to improve services but says, “We don’t collect information about what customers watch in third-party apps on Fire TV.”
To limit tracking:
- Go to Settings > Preferences > Privacy Settings
- Turn off Device Usage Data
- Turn off Collect App Usage Data
- Turn off Interest-based Ads
2. Google Chromecast with Google TV
Google collects data across its platforms including search history, YouTube views, voice commands, and third-party app activity. However, “Google Chromecast as a platform does not perform ACR.”
To limit tracking:
- Go to Settings > Privacy
- Turn off Usage & Diagnostics
- Opt out of Ads Personalization
- Visit myactivity.google.com to manage other data
3. Roku
Roku tracks “search history, audio inputs, channels you access” and shares this with advertisers.
To reduce tracking:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Advertising
- Enable Limit Ad Tracking
- Adjust Microphone and Channel Permissions under Privacy settings
4. Apple TV
Apple links activity to your Apple ID and tracks viewing history. It also shares some data with partners. However, it asks permission before allowing apps to track.
To improve privacy:
- Go to Settings > General > Privacy
- Enable Allow Apps to Ask to Track
- Turn off Share Apple TV Analytics
- Turn off Improve Siri and Dictation
While streaming devices offer unmatched convenience, they come at the cost of data privacy. Fortunately, each platform allows users to tweak their settings and regain some control over what’s being shared. A few minutes in the settings menu can go a long way in protecting your personal viewing habits from constant surveillance.