A few years ago my cable TV provider switched from analog to digital and required customers to upgrade to a box that would accommodate the new system. During that transition a technician explained in simple terms what the new box would do and happened to mention that a tiny bit of information was sent back to the company.
I assumed it meant the box was telling the cable provider what I watched and that the information was sold to advertisers for direct marketing purposes. Turns out that was right.
You watch TV. Your TV watches back provides a brief overview of that process and what happens to the data. The public rationale is that it is used to provide customers with a better viewing experience. Oh, and of course, it will provide the viewer with commercials for products you might want or need. How convenient.
BTW, Roku does it too. So streaming may not provide an escape.
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2:22 PM 10/30/2019
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