Link: “Your Privacy, Your Devices, and You”

The Wirecutter put together a great guide on the ways in which various smart devices track what you watch, create a profile of you, then sell that information to advertisers.

Of note, here’s what they say about the Apple TV:

What it collects: Apple’s general privacy policy says the company may collect some usage data, including search data, which it doesn’t associate with your IP address. The supplementary privacy policy for Apple TV says that the company collects only log data, not what you watch or search for.

How it uses the data: Apple’s general privacy policy says that it uses the information it collects to improve its services, including advertising. The Apple TV supplement says it uses log data to diagnose and record problems with your device.

How it shares the data: Apple’s privacy policy does not state whether the company shares usage information with third parties, for advertising or other purposes.

Your choices: Apple says it collects log data from your Apple TV only if you opt in.

Wirecutter’s review: This policy stands in stark contrast to all the others here. Apple collects next to nothing and anonymizes all of it.

If you value you privacy, disconnect your Smart TV from the Internet, throw out your Roku, and buy an Apple TV for your internet TV functionality. The things disreputable companies do with your information should scare the hell out of you.