• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

German Cartel Office investigates smart TVs

December 13, 2017 09.59 Europe/London By Jörn Krieger

The Federal German Cartel Office wants to find out whether smart TV manufacturers violate consumer protection laws when handling personal user data.

In the course of the so-called sector inquiry that has now been launched, the competition authority particularly intends to examine the contractual terms applied by the manufacturers.

“Smart TVs are merely one example of the ever-growing connectedness of things in private life and the issue of knowingly and unknowingly disclosing personal data. For the purposes of our inquiry, we have deliberately picked an everyday item which is also used by people who are not very technology-savvy. The fate of consumer data once released and their commercial use will certainly keep us busy beyond the current sector inquiry,” said Andreas Mundt, President of the Federal Cartel Office.

Unlike traditional TV sets, smart TVs have an internet connection through which the viewers not only receive data and channels but also transmit their user data. There is reason to believe that smart TVs pass on such personal data without the user being appropriately informed or being able to object to such transfer, according to the competition authority. The sector inquiry’s primary objective is now to clarify if and to what extent smart TV manufacturers collect, pass on and commercially use personal data and whether the persons concerned are being appropriately informed of this practice.

As a first step, questionnaires will be sent to all major TV manufacturers in early 2018. This survey aims to reveal potential weaknesses in general terms and conditions, data protection and data safety. The insights gathered from this sector inquiry should also help the authority in identifying further consumer protection issues regarding the internet of things.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Connected TV, Editor's Choice, Newsline, Platforms, Regulation Tagged With: Andreas Mundt, consumer protection, Federal Cartel Office, Smart TV, user data Edited: 14 December 2017 10:25

Avatar photo

About Jörn Krieger

Jörn reports on the latest developments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1992, he has been working as a freelance journalist, specialised in digital media, broadcast technology, convergence and new markets. He also takes up University lectureships, writes articles in specialist publications, and produces radio reports. Jörn is also a moderator of panel discussions at industry events such as ANGA COM, Medientage München and IFA Berlin.

Latest News

  • Teleste appoints Linda Kallas as new SVP of Group Strategy
  • NEM Dubrovnik ends with key insights
  • Government plans to renew UK local TV licences
  • FTTH drives Portuguese pay-TV market
  • Kerensa Samanidis named general manager for BBC iPlayer

Free Ebook

Whitepaper: Why Wi-Fi 6 is Key for ISP Success

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E client devices are entering the home in an unprecedented way, surpassing 50% market share since their introduction in 2019 (compared to four years for Wi-Fi 5). … [Download the eBook...]

Q & A

Q & A: MainStreaming CEO Antonio G. Corrado

Broadband TV News sits down with MainStreaming’s CEO, Antonio G. Corrado to talk, streaming, latency, and ANGA COM.

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2023 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...