Samsung TVs (and probably others) will connect to other Samsung TVs in range and exfiltrate data via that route… merely not connecting the TV doesn’t present data harvesting

Iirc, Amazon uses a tool they call “sidewalk” for this purpose

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derekdahmer 15 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

They don’t do that. Do you have a source?

There’s something called Wi-Fi Direct but it requires explicit pairing. And Sidewalk isn’t on TVs. There’s no evidence of Samsung TVs trying to use each other as relays.

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lrvick 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

In that case, jailbreak it, or open it and unsolder the wifi antenna, or put some well placed copper tape until you no longer see any wifi traffic from the TV from other wifi capable devices running a wifi packet inspector.

The TV belongs to you and it will obey you with modest effort.

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orbital-decay 7 hours ago | parent [-]

Alternatively, don't give your money to e-waste vendors.

	▲	lrvick 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Sure when the choice exists, but we should encourage de-fanging the hardware that is already purchased.

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Alive-in-2025 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I want to know how to disable their external communication via wifi, I'd like to see how they are exfiltrating info. If I don't connect them to my wifi, apparently they connect to Xfinity wifi at your neighbors house.

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dawnerd 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Basically don’t buy Samsung or LG if you really care.

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wolvoleo 2 hours ago | parent [-]

But that's the OP's question isn't it? What brand can you buy that isn't outright evil?

Especially considering some models now refuse to work without seeing an internet connection during the setup procedure

	▲	dawnerd 16 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		Sony has treated me well and I don’t have it internet connected. It’s the one brand I haven’t seen nag when you have the internet disconnected. Was also easy to just opt right out of connecting it. Pretty standard google tv too.