Smart TV menus change, but the privacy settings to look for are similar: viewing data, ACR,
personalized ads, advertising IDs, voice data, app permissions, and privacy choices.
Before you start: menu names change
Menu paths vary by model, region, year, and software version. Use this as a settings checklist,
not as a permanent exact menu map. Look for controls related to viewing data, ACR,
personalized ads, advertising ID, voice data, app permissions, and privacy choices.
For a deeper explanation of how Automatic Content Recognition works, read the companion guide:
What Is ACR Tracking on Smart TVs?
Universal smart TV privacy checklist
Before looking up brand-specific menu paths, check for these settings:
| Setting to check | What it may be called |
|---|---|
| ACR / viewing data | Viewing Information, Live Plus, Smart TV Experience, Viewing Data, Automatic Content Recognition |
| Personalized ads | Interest-Based Ads, Ad Personalization, Limit Ad Tracking |
| Advertising ID | Reset Advertising ID, Device Advertising ID, Ad ID |
| Voice features | Voice Recognition, Voice Data, Voice History, Microphone Access |
| App permissions | App Privacy, App Permissions, Installed Apps |
| Account data | Signed-In Accounts, Watch History, Recommendations, Profiles |
| Network setup | Guest Network, IoT Network, VPN Router, DNS Settings |
How to turn off tracking on Roku TV
On Roku TVs and Roku streaming devices, look for privacy and advertising settings. Review ad personalization, tracking choices, voice settings if used, and any option related to viewing information.
Because Roku is both a device platform and an advertising platform, this section matters for both streaming sticks and Roku-powered TVs.
How to turn off tracking on Samsung smart TV
On Samsung TVs, look for settings related to terms and privacy, viewing information, personalized ads, marketing options on older models, voice services, and app permissions.
Exact paths vary by model and year. If you cannot find a setting, search the TV’s support menu or Samsung’s current support docs for your specific model.
How to turn off tracking on LG smart TV
On LG TVs, look for privacy options related to Live Plus, viewing information, personalized ads, voice data, advertising ID, and app permissions.
LG settings can vary across webOS versions, so review both privacy menus and general account/ad settings.
How to turn off tracking on Vizio smart TV
On Vizio TVs, look for viewing data controls, advertising settings, privacy choices, and account-related settings. Vizio’s smart TV platform is part of why smart TV ownership and retail media are now part of the privacy conversation.
How to turn off tracking on Fire TV
On Fire TV devices and Fire TV-powered televisions, review privacy settings related to device usage data, app usage data, interest-based ads, voice history, and advertising ID.
Also check Amazon account-level privacy settings, since Fire TV is closely connected to the broader Amazon account ecosystem.
How to turn off tracking on Google TV / Android TV
On Google TV or Android TV devices, review ad personalization, app permissions, Google account settings, voice assistant settings, and data-sharing options.
If you use Chromecast or Google TV in addition to a smart TV, remember to review both the TV platform and the external streaming device.
Streaming devices are where TV privacy gets messy.
Smart TVs, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, consoles, and streaming apps all have their own privacy settings. Router-level controls can help cover devices that do not support VPN apps, but the best setup depends on what you watch and which devices you use.
What turning off tracking helps with
Disabling viewing data, ACR, ad personalization, or voice data can reduce some platform-level tracking and personalization. It can also make your setup feel cleaner and less tied to long-term viewing profiles.
What it does not fix
For the broader ownership and advertising context behind this checklist, start with the series hub:
Who Owns Your Smart TV?
Changing TV settings does not automatically remove every ad, erase streaming account history, stop app-specific data collection, change GPS or mobile app behavior, or rewrite streaming-service terms.
That is why smart TV privacy should be layered: TV settings, app settings, account settings, and router-level controls.
After turning off TV tracking, check the router
Smart TV privacy does not end at the TV menu. Your smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, game console, smart speaker, camera, and laptop may all share the same router.
- Update router firmware.
- Change router admin password.
- Review connected devices.
- Create a guest or smart-home network.
- Separate work devices from smart-home devices where possible.
- Use router-level VPN for compatible streaming devices that cannot run VPN apps.
- Consider a secondary VPN router if you want privacy without replacing your current WiFi.
Smart TV privacy starts with the screen — but it does not end there.
Smart TV settings, streaming apps, device platforms, and router-level controls all play a role.
Pick the path that matches how you actually watch, stream, and protect devices at home.
VPN by Streaming Service
Browse router and VPN setup paths for popular streaming TV, movies, music, and sports services.
VPN Setup by Device
Find setup paths for Smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation, and more.
Secondary VPN Router
Add a dedicated privacy network for smart TVs, streaming devices, guests, or selected devices.
Take the Router Quiz
Match your home, device count, streaming needs, and privacy goals to the right router path.
Smarter 2026 Streaming Guide
Compare paid, free, and international streaming options with router-level device tips.
Privacy Hero 2
Simple router-level privacy, device grouping, and streaming-device coverage with less manual setup.
Note: A VPN router can help with network-level privacy and supported device routing, but it does not automatically disable smart TV account tracking, app settings, ACR settings, or platform-specific privacy controls.
Bottom line
Turning off smart TV tracking is not one switch. It is a review process.
Start with viewing data and ACR. Then check personalized ads, advertising IDs, voice data, app permissions, and signed-in accounts. After that, review your router and decide whether smart TVs and streaming devices should be on a more controlled network.
Sources and further reading
FAQ
How do I turn off smart TV tracking?
Start by looking for viewing data, ACR, personalized ads, advertising ID, voice data, app permissions, and privacy choices in your TV or streaming device settings.
How do I turn off Roku tracking?
On Roku devices, review privacy and advertising settings, including options related to ad personalization and viewing information. Menu names can change by software version.
How do I stop Samsung TV tracking?
Look for Samsung TV settings related to viewing information, personalized ads, privacy choices, voice services, and app permissions. Exact paths vary by model and software version.
How do I stop LG Live Plus?
On LG TVs, look for Live Plus or similar viewing-information settings, along with personalized ads, advertising ID, voice data, and app permissions.
Should my smart TV be on a guest network?
For many homes, putting smart TVs and IoT devices on a guest or smart-home network can separate them from work laptops, personal phones, and sensitive devices.