TP Vision has made modifications on the way it stores user information of Philips smart TVs.
The CBP, the Dutch privacy watchdog, has carried out an investigation and has concluded that TP Vision, the manufacturer of Philips smart TVs, gives viewers insufficient and incomplete information about the processing of their personal data via smart TVs.
TP Vision collects and stores data on the online viewing habits, usage of apps and website visits. TP Vision uses the collected data to offer personalised viewing tips as well as targeted ads.
However, due to lack of information by TP Vision to its users, viewers are often not aware of this, according to the CPB. TV viewers are also not able to stop the collection of their personal viewing data. According to CBP, the company is in breach of Dutch privacy law.
“Most people do not even know their smart TV gathers information about their viewing habits,” said Wilbert Tomesen, board member of the CBP. “Smart TVs offer exciting new opportunities, but you have to tell your customers that you are collecting private information on a large scale to offer such services.”
Following the investigation, the manufacturer has now made a number of modifications to better protect the privacy of the Philips smart TV users. The CBP is now looking if TP Vision’s privacy policy is within the Dutch law.
According to the agency, TP Vision has sold between 1 and 1.2 million Philips smart TVs since 2009.
A full copy of the report by the CBP can be downloaded from its website – the text is only available in Dutch and only offers the public version of the report.
