Privacy Group Files FTC Complaint Against Samsung’s Voice-Operated TVs

The Electronic Privacy Information Center has asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate Samsung over what it says is the recording of private conversations in homes through the company’s television sets. The privacy rights group filed a complaint with the commission accusing Samsung of violating federal laws with a technology that allows viewers to operate the company’s Internet-connected smart TVs with voice commands.

In its complaint, EPIC accused Samsung of violating several laws intended to protect consumer privacy, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which prohibits the interception and disclosure of electronic communications, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which regulates collection of personal information from minors. The group asked the FTC to investigate Samsung, halt its practice of transmitting voice recordings to third parties and examine other companies involved in similar practices.