CH 02 · Non-Android TVs

Clean up your non-Android TV

Stop it tracking you: Samsung, LG, Roku, Vizio, Hisense VIDAA and Fire TV. No root, nothing to install, every step undoable.

You need: your TV remote and a few minutes. Nothing to download.

What is it tracking?

Most smart TVs recognise what’s on screen, including live TV and whatever comes in over HDMI, and report it back for advertising. It’s called automatic content recognition, or ACR. A 2024 study of Samsung and LG TVs found that opting out in the settings stopped the traffic to ACR servers. Why this matters

Have Google TV or Android TV? Turn off its quick switches, then CleanYourTV can do the rest.

Go further

Settings only cover what the TV maker lets you switch off.

The steps above: a few minutes with your remote, and the biggest single change. The IMC 2024 study found that opting out in the settings stopped Samsung and LG TVs’ traffic to ACR servers.

Back to your steps

Put the TV on your guest network

So it can’t see your laptop or phone. The NSA’s home-network advice is to keep guests on a separate network from your more trusted devices. Researchers at Gamers Nexus found an LG TV listing 38 devices on one home network (LG says device discovery is a standard function).

1Turn on the guest network. In your router’s app or admin page. Some routers call it an IoT network.
2Move the TV to it. On the TV, forget your main Wi-Fi and join the guest one. If the TV is wired, use Wi-Fi instead, or a port your router gives to guests.
!Know the catch. Casting from a phone on your main Wi-Fi stops working across the two networks, unless your router passes mDNS between them. Join your phone to the guest network to cast.
Undo: move the TV back to your main Wi-Fi.

A DNS blocker goes further: the TV can’t find the tracking servers at all. In 2019, Princeton researchers found Roku’s privacy options stopped its ad ID leaking, but not the number of trackers it contacted.

Easiest · nothing to install

NextDNS

Point your router’s DNS at it. Free for 300,000 queries a month; past that it stops blocking without telling you, and a TV plus a household can get there.

Needs an always-on computer

Pi-hole

Runs on a Raspberry Pi or any always-on computer. Install it, then set your router’s DHCP DNS to its address.

Script or Docker

AdGuard Home

The same idea. Use Adblock-format lists: its plain-domain rules don’t cover subdomains.

Then add the tracker list for your TV

HaGeZi has a native list for each brand: native.samsung, native.lgwebos, native.roku or native.amazon for Fire TV. Pick your TV above for its address.

On NextDNS, “Native Tracking Protection” isn’t enough for a TV. It covers eight vendors. Its Samsung entry is phone and Knox telemetry, not the TV’s ACR or ad servers, and there’s no LG, Vizio or Hisense entry. Add a HaGeZi list from the Blocklists tab instead.

Which domains to block, and which to keep

Samsung

Domain	What it is	Block?
acr-us-prd.samsungcloud.tv, acr-eu-prd.samsungcloud.tv	ACR fingerprints	Block The most traffic during live TV and HDMI.
samsungacr.com	ACR logging and config	Block Covers log-ingestion and log-config.
acr0.samsungcloudsolution.com	ACR keep-alive	Block HaGeZi blocks it; Perflyst leaves it open.
samsungads.com, samsungtvads.com	Samsung Ads	Block
lcprd1.samsungcloudsolution.net	Logging	Optional One user had to allow it again when app downloads failed; another saw no problem.
samsungcloudsolution.com	The whole domain: many services	Don’t block Blocking it all breaks the TV’s internet connection.
time.samsungcloudsolution.com	Clock	Keep Without it Plex, YouTube and Prime Video stop working.
otnprd8–11.samsungcloudsolution.net, samsungotn.net	Firmware updates	Keep Security updates come through here.
osb-ussvc.samsungqbe.com	Samsung TV Plus	Keep If you watch TV Plus.
auth.samsungosp.com	Samsung account	Keep Sign-in fails without it.

LG

Domain	What it is	Block?
lgsmartad.com, lgads.tv, ad.lgappstv.com	LG ads	Block
alphonso.tv	ACR (LG Ad Solutions)	Block The IMC 2024 study saw LG’s ACR traffic go here.
us.lgtvsdp.com	Clock and services	Keep If it is blocked, the clock resets to 2019 after a reboot and Plex, HBO Max and YouTube fail.
lgtvsdp.com, lgappstv.com	Content Store	Keep Only ad.lgappstv.com goes.
ngfts.lge.com	Store pictures, AI features	Keep
snu.lge.com, su.lge.com, nsu.lge.com	Software updates	Keep

Roku

Domain	What it is	Block?
logs.roku.com and its subdomains	Logging	Block One Pi-hole user’s live TV guide went blank; allow it again if yours does.
ads.roku.com, ravm.tv	Roku ads	Block
acr.roku.com, cloudservices.roku.com	ACR and cloud services	Block Both are in HaGeZi’s Roku list.

Don’t block everything with “roku” in it: a broad rule like that broke one user’s Roku completely.

Vizio

Domain	What it is	Block?
tvinteractive.tv	Inscape ACR	Block control, control2, mcp and tvmeta-dynamic.
alphonso.tv	ACR	Block
api.vizio.com, images.vizio.com	Smart features	Keep Perflyst: required for the smart TV features.

HaGeZi has no Vizio list, so add these by hand.

Hisense VIDAA

Domain	What it is	Block?
ter-jrnl-.vidaahub.com, exc-jrnl-.vidaahub.com, policy-jrnl-*.vidaahub.com	Telemetry journals, one per region	Block The person who asked HaGeZi to add them saw nothing break after days of blocking.
tracking-vss.vidaahub.com, abtest-tv.vidaahub.com	Tracking and A/B tests	Block
recommend-ui-*.vidaahub.com	Home-screen recommendations	Block
rsc-ads.vidaahub.com, rpt-mntz-azure.vidaahub.com	Ads	Block
ads-privacy.vidaahub.com, rsc-mntz.vidaahub.com	The TV’s Ads Privacy app	Keep Blocked, the Ads Privacy app that sets your ad choices won’t open.
api.us.hismarttv.com, api.euro.hismarttv.com, api.eu.hismarttv.com	Possibly software updates	Keep Perflyst’s list blocks them but notes they may be needed for updates, and HaGeZi blocks api.eu. If you block them, check updates still work.
auth-, api-gps-, api-launcher-, msg-.hismarttv.com	Sign-in, location, launcher, messages	Optional Both lists block these, and we found no report of what breaks. If sign-in or the home screen misbehaves, allow them first.

HaGeZi has no native VIDAA list, but its Light, Multi and Pro lists include these. Block host by host, not all of vidaahub.com or hismarttv.com: updates and the Ads Privacy app live there too.

Keep update domains open: an up-to-date TV is safer. From HaGeZi’s lists, Perflyst’s SmartTV list and the IMC 2024 study.

The blocker sees nothing from the TV? Redirect hard-coded DNS at the router

Some devices, notably Google’s, ignore the DNS your router hands out and ask 8.8.8.8 directly. A firewall rule sends every outgoing request on port 53 to your own blocker, and port 853 (DNS over TLS) is blocked so it can’t be used to go around it. Guides: pfSense, OpenWrt, OPNsense (community), MikroTik (forum); UniFi does it under CyberSecure › Content Filter.

Most ISP routers can’t do this; then set the router’s DHCP DNS and accept that Google devices may go around it. Some devices show “no internet” once 8.8.8.8 is redirected. HaGeZi’s doh-vpn-proxy-bypass list stops devices sidestepping the blocker over DNS-over-HTTPS or VPNs.

Undo: allow the blocked name from the blocker’s query log, or turn the list off. Don’t block update domains. Done? Check your network from your phone.

Check

Is your home network blocking TV tracking?

Run this on your phone while it’s on the same Wi-Fi as the TV.

It checks your network’s DNS, not the TV itself, so it only means something on the TV’s network.
It contacts those servers once, the way any page visit would: no cookies and no page address go with it. Like any visit, they see your IP address.
It covers Samsung, LG, Roku, Vizio and Hisense VIDAA. Not Fire TV or Google TV yet.

Takes a few seconds

Good to know

If something breaks: how to undo each step

You did	You might lose	To undo
ACR off	Less personal “recommended for you” rows; Roku drops More Ways to Watch	Tick the same setting again
Ad tracking off, ad ID reset or deleted	Nothing; ads stay, just untargeted	Turn it back on
Voice wake word or mic switch off	No voice search or assistant	Switch it back on
Optional agreements declined	Small extras, like LG’s AI recommendations	Accept them again in User Agreements or Privacy Choices
Guest network	Casting from a phone on your main Wi-Fi	Move the TV back to your main Wi-Fi
DNS blocklist	Usually nothing; too broad a list can break the app store, guide data or the clock	Allow the blocked name from the query log, or turn the list off

Two things not to do: don’t decline the TV’s required terms (most smart apps stop, Consumer Reports found), and don’t block the update domains.

Why this matters

Most smart TVs can recognise what’s on screen, including live TV and whatever comes in over HDMI, and report it back for advertising and measurement. It’s called automatic content recognition, or ACR.

A peer-reviewed study at ACM IMC 2024 found ACR on Samsung and LG TVs works even when the TV is only a screen for an HDMI device. It also found that opting out stopped the traffic to ACR servers.

In December 2025 Texas sued five TV makers over ACR, Samsung and LG among them. Samsung and LG have since agreed to ask Texans for consent. That covers Texas only; everywhere else, the settings are how you say no.

In 2017 Vizio paid $2.2 million to the FTC and New Jersey for collecting viewing data from about 11 million TVs without consent.

This month a security researcher, @log4j, reported further findings from a 2025 Samsung TV. Nobody has reproduced them yet, the full write-up isn’t out, and Samsung hasn’t responded (Notebookcheck). We’ll update this page when the report is published.

Privacy isn’t about hiding; it’s about deciding. You can still choose to share what you watch. These steps make it your choice, instead of the default you clicked past during setup.

The last resort: keep the TV offline

A TV that never goes online can’t send anything. Leave it off the network and plug in a separate streaming box. Apple TV is the usual pick: tvOS has no ACR, and Siri, location and analytics are opt-in at setup (9to5Mac). On it, also turn off Settings › General › Privacy & Security › Tracking › Allow Apps to Ask to Track.

Google TV has a basic TV mode: no account or internet, aerial, cable and HDMI still work. Going back needs a factory reset.
Samsung lets you skip network setup; you lose the apps and Smart Hub.
Roku TVs need internet once to activate, then can run offline on aerial and HDMI, according to Roku’s community staff.

An offline TV gets no security updates. That’s fine while it stays offline; just don’t connect it “once” years later.

Every TV, every step, on one page

Where the menu moved over the years, every year’s path is listed.

Samsung

Samsung calls its tracking Viewing Information Services. It only runs if you agreed to it, and most people did, on the “Agree to all” screen during setup.

Not sure of the year? It’s in the model number. Hold Play/Pause on the remote for about 10 seconds, or go to Settings › All Settings › Support › About This TV. It’s also on the sticker on the back. Each step below lists every year’s path.

Step 1 Turn off Viewing Information Services
Stops your TV recognising what’s on screen and reporting it.
2025 TVs
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. General & Privacy
4. Terms & Privacy
- Viewing Information ServicesOff
Some models say “Terms and Policy”.
2022–2024 TVs
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. General & Privacy
4. Terms & Privacy
5. Privacy Choices
6. Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy
- Viewing Information ServicesOff
2019–2020 TVs
1. Settings
2. Support
3. Terms & Privacy
4. Privacy Choices
- Viewing Information ServicesOff
2018 and older
1. Smart Hub
2. Settings
3. Support
4. Terms & Policy
- SyncPlus and MarketingOff
Any year
1. Home
2. Privacy Choices
- Viewing Information ServicesOff
An app in the home screen’s side bar that opens the same agreements.
Undo
Tick it again in the same place.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Oct 2025 · SamMobile, Feb 2025 · Consumer Reports, 2021 · Samsung: ACR
Step 2 Untick the rest on that screen
Ads stay, but stop being targeted at you.
2025 TVs
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. General & Privacy
4. Terms & Privacy
- Interest-Based AdvertisementsOff
- Customization ServiceOff
- Improve personalized adsOff
- Get news and special offersOff
- Do not trackOn
Some models say “Terms and Policy”.
2022–2024 TVs
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. General & Privacy
4. Terms & Privacy
5. Privacy Choices
6. Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy
- Interest-Based AdvertisementsOff
- Customization ServiceOff
- Improve personalized adsOff
- Get news and special offersOff
- Do not trackOn
2019–2020 TVs
1. Settings
2. Support
3. Terms & Privacy
4. Privacy Choices
- Interest-Based AdvertisementsOff
- Customization ServiceOff
- Improve personalized adsOff
- Get news and special offersOff
- Do not trackOn
2018 and older
1. Smart Hub
2. Settings
3. Support
4. Terms & Policy
- Interest-Based AdvertisementsOff
- Customization ServiceOff
- Improve personalized adsOff
- Get news and special offersOff
- Do not trackOn
Any year
1. Home
2. Privacy Choices
- Interest-Based AdvertisementsOff
- Customization ServiceOff
- Improve personalized adsOff
- Get news and special offersOff
- Do not trackOn
An app in the home screen’s side bar that opens the same agreements.
This is the full set the IMC 2024 study switched off before the TVs stopped contacting tracking servers. Your TV may not show every one.
Undo
Tick them again. Ads stay either way; they just stop being targeted.
Source: IMC 2024 study
Step 3 Reset the ad ID
Gives the TV a new ad ID. On its own it doesn’t stop personalised ads.
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. General & Privacy
4. Terms & Privacy
- Reset PSIDSelect
This gives the TV a new ad ID. On its own it doesn’t turn off personalised ads; step 2 does.
Undo
Nothing to undo.
Source: NAI
Step 4 Turn off Bixby’s wake word
The TV stops listening for its wake word.
2025 TVs
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. Advanced Features
4. Voice
5. Bixby Settings
- Voice Wake-UpOff
2024 and older
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. General & Privacy
4. Voice
5. Bixby Settings
- Voice Wake-UpOff
Bixby itself can’t be turned off, only its wake-up.
Undo
Turn Voice Wake-Up back on.
Sources: Samsung: Bixby · Samsung AU: Bixby can’t be turned off
Step 5 Flip the mic switchIf your TV has one
Cuts the microphone off in hardware.
Feel along the lower edge of the TV, in the middle or towards the right, for a small switch. Slide it to off. Not every model has one.
With it off, voice commands stop. The remote’s mic only listens while you hold its button.
Undo
Slide the switch back.
Source: Samsung: mic switch
Step 6 Leave Pet Care offQ8F and higher
Keeps the TV from listening for barking while it’s off.
On Q8F and higher models, Pet Care uses the TV’s mic to listen for barking while the TV is off. It’s switched on from the SmartThings app on your phone, so if you never turned it on there, you’re done.
Undo
Turn it on again in SmartThings.
Source: Samsung: Pet Care

Some owners report ad settings switching back after a firmware update, so look again after one.

LG

LG calls its tracking Live Plus, and the Viewing Information agreement covers it too. LG says it’s off by default; Pocket-lint reports it on by default, so check.

Not sure of the year? It’s in the model number. Press Mute three times on the remote and the model number pops up. It’s also on the sticker on the back. Each step below lists every year’s path.

Step 1 Turn off Live Plus
Stops your TV recognising what’s on screen and reporting it.
2026 TVs
1. Hold the Settings button
2. System
3. Additional settings
- Live PlusOff
2025 TVs
1. All Settings
2. Support
3. Privacy & Terms
4. User Agreements
- Viewing InformationOff
2021–2024 TVs
1. All Settings
2. General
3. System
4. Additional Settings
- Live PlusOff
2020 TVs
1. Settings
2. General
3. Additional Settings
- Live PlusOff
Undo
Turn it back on in the same place.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Oct 2025 · XDA, Aug 2026 · The Markup · Pocket-lint · Consumer Reports, 2021
Step 2 Decline the optional agreements
Says no to the optional data sharing. Apps keep working without it.
Most TVs
1. Settings
2. Privacy & Terms
3. User Agreements
- Viewing informationOff
- Voice informationOff
- Interest-based & Cross-device advertisingOff
- Who.Where.What?Off
- Do Not Sell My Personal InformationOn
Older menus
1. All Settings
2. Support
3. Privacy & Terms
4. User Agreements
- Viewing informationOff
- Voice informationOff
- Interest-based & Cross-device advertisingOff
- Who.Where.What?Off
- Do Not Sell My Personal InformationOn
Only the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy are required. Apps keep working without the rest.
Undo
Accept them again in User Agreements. Voice control needs Voice information.
Sources: LG: User Agreements · Consumer Reports, Oct 2025
Step 3 Limit ad tracking
Ads stay, but stop being targeted at you.
1. All Settings
2. General
3. System
4. Additional Settings
5. Advertisement
- Limit AD TrackingOn
Undo
Turn it off again.
Source: The Markup
Step 4 Stop the home screen promotions
Takes the promotions and recommended content off the home screen.
1. All Settings
2. General
3. System
4. Additional Settings
5. Home Settings
- Home PromotionOff
- Content RecommendationOff
On 2026 TVs, also turn off Screen Saver Promotion, and AI Recommendations under General › AI Service › LG AI Settings.
Undo
Tick them again.
Sources: The Markup · LG: Content Recommendation · XDA, Aug 2026
Step 5 Leave hands-free voice offIf you turned on “Hi LG”
The TV stops listening for “Hi LG” in standby.
If you turned on Hands-free Voice (“Hi LG”), turn it off: with it on, the TV listens for the wake word in standby. Some models also have a hardware mic switch.
Voice recognition is off by default. The Magic Remote’s mic only listens while you hold its button.
Undo
Turn Hands-free Voice back on.
Source: LG statement, Sep 2026

Menu paths can move with a software update. If yours didn’t match, tell us what you saw.

Roku

Roku TVs, including TCL and Hisense Roku TVs, have ACR. Roku sticks don’t.

Step 1 Turn off ACR
Stops your TV recognising what’s on screen and reporting it.
On the TV
1. Home
2. Settings
3. Privacy
4. Smart TV Experience
- Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)Off
Or on the web
1. my.roku.com
2. Privacy Settings
3. Smart TV Experience
- Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)Off
Older software calls it “Use info from TV inputs”.
Undo
Tick it again. You lose the “More Ways to Watch” suggestions from live TV while it’s off.
Sources: Roku support · The Markup
Step 2 Turn off personalised ads
Ads stay, but stop being targeted at you.
1. Settings
2. Privacy
3. Advertising
- Personalize adsOff
Older software calls it Limit ad tracking (tick that one on). Resetting the advertising ID on its own doesn’t opt you out.
Undo
Tick it again.
Source: NAI
Step 3 Check the microphone settings
Channels lose access to the microphone.
1. Settings
2. Privacy
3. Microphone
Take mic access away from each channel, or block it for all. On the Voice Remote Pro, the hands-free switch turns off “Hey Roku”; push-to-talk still works.
Undo
Allow it again in the same menu.
Sources: Roku: microphone · Roku: Voice Remote Pro

Menu paths can move with a software update. If yours didn’t match, tell us what you saw.

Vizio

Vizio calls its tracking Viewing Data. The menu moved over the years, so use the path that matches what your TV shows.

Step 1 Turn off Viewing Data
Stops your TV recognising what’s on screen and reporting it.
If you see Privacy & Legal
1. All Settings
2. Privacy & Legal
- Viewing DataOff
If you see Admin & Privacy
1. All Settings
2. Admin & Privacy
- Viewing DataOff
Before 2020
1. System
2. Reset & Admin
- Viewing DataOff
Before 2017 it was called Smart Interactivity.
Undo
Turn Viewing Data back on.
Sources: Vizio: Viewing Data · FTC, 2017
Step 2 Don’t link your viewing to Walmart
What you watch isn’t linked to your Walmart account.
If you see Privacy & Legal
1. All Settings
2. Privacy & Legal
- Let Walmart link Viewing Data to your Walmart accountOff
If you see Admin & Privacy
1. All Settings
2. Admin & Privacy
- Let Walmart link Viewing Data to your Walmart accountOff
Before 2020
1. System
2. Reset & Admin
- Let Walmart link Viewing Data to your Walmart accountOff
Walmart owns Vizio now. The Viewing Data screen lets you say no.
Undo
Allow it again on the same screen.
Source: Vizio: Viewing Data
Step 3 Limit ad tracking
Ads stay, but stop being targeted at you.
If you see Privacy & Legal
1. Menu
2. Privacy & Legal
3. Advertising
- Limited Ad TrackingOn
- Reset TV Advertiser IDSelect
Before 2024
1. Menu
2. Admin & Privacy
3. Advertising
- Limited Ad TrackingOn
- Reset TV Advertiser IDSelect
Before 2020
1. System
2. Reset & Admin
3. Advertising
- Limited Ad TrackingOn
- Reset TV Advertiser IDSelect
Ads still show; they just stop being targeted.
Undo
Turn Limited Ad Tracking off again.
Source: Vizio: ads FAQ

Menu paths can move with a software update. If yours didn’t match, tell us what you saw.

Hisense VIDAA

On VIDAA, Hisense’s own system (also on some Toshiba TVs), the tracking is called Enhanced Viewing Service. It’s opt-in at setup and recognises what’s on screen from its audio. Hisense TVs that run Google TV or Roku: use those tabs.

The menus moved between VIDAA versions. Yours is in Settings › Support › About, or Settings › Support › System Info › Version on older sets.

Step 1 Turn off Enhanced Viewing
Stops your TV recognising what’s on screen from its sound and reporting it.
If Settings has Advanced Settings
1. Settings
2. Advanced Settings
3. Enhanced Viewing Settings
- Enable Automatic Content RecognitionOff
Then choose “No, thank you” and “Yes, Decline” on the two pop-ups.
If it’s under System (VIDAA U5)
1. Settings
2. System
3. Advanced Settings
4. Enhanced Viewing
- Automatic Content RecognitionOff
Enhanced Viewing isn’t offered in every country or on every model; if you can’t find it, skip this step. Menus vary between VIDAA versions: if yours looks different, tell us.
Undo
Turn it back on in the same place.
Sources: Pocket-lint, Sep 2026 · Hisense VIDAA U5 manual · VIDAA privacy policy
Step 2 Turn off the rest of Enhanced Viewing
Turns off the personalised ads, recommendations and automatic picture and sound that come with it.
1. Settings
2. Advanced Settings
3. Enhanced Viewing Settings
- Enable Personalized AdsOff
- Enable Content RecommendationOff
- Enable Automatic Picture and Audio QualityOff
On VIDAA U5 menus there’s nothing more here: these switch off together with Automatic Content Recognition.
Undo
Turn them back on in the same place.
Sources: Pocket-lint, Sep 2026 · V: Enhanced Viewing notice
Step 3 Turn off personalised ads
Ads stay, but stop being targeted at you.
1. Settings
2. System
3. Advanced Settings
4. Personalised Ads
- Personalised AdsOff
- Reset Ads IDSelect
This doesn’t reduce the number of ads, it just stops them being picked for you. Older menus may not have it.
Undo
Turn Personalised Ads back on.
Source: Hisense VIDAA U9 manual
Step 4 Check what you agreed to
Withdraws the data-sharing consents you don’t want.
VIDAA U9
1. Settings
2. Support
3. Disclaimer and Privacy
4. Data Sharing, Privacy and EULA
VIDAA U6
1. Settings
2. Support
3. Disclaimer and Privacy
4. EULA and Other Policy and Services
VIDAA U5
1. Settings
2. Support
3. Disclaimer and Privacy
Deny the data-sharing consents you don’t want. Some features need theirs: unticking the VIDAA Account one signs you out. Remove User Data, in the same Disclaimer and Privacy menu, deletes your usage data from the TV and the cloud. In the US, the Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information link is in Settings too.
Undo
Agree to them again in the same menu.
Sources: Hisense VIDAA U9 manual · VIDAA U6 manual · Hisense VIDAA U5 manual · V: Enhanced Viewing notice
Step 5 Turn off hands-free voice
The TV stops listening for “Hey VIDAA” or “Alexa”.
TVs with far-field voice have a built-in microphone and a switch for it on the TV itself; the printed manual shows where. Slide it off too.
VIDAA U9
1. Settings
2. System
3. Voice Service
4. VIDAA Voice or Amazon Alexa
- Hands-FreeOff
VIDAA U5
1. Settings
2. System
3. Voice Service
4. Amazon Alexa
- Build-in MicrophoneOff
With hands-free off, the TV stops listening for “Hey VIDAA” or “Alexa”. The remote’s mic button still works.
Undo
Turn Hands-Free back on, and the mic switch.
Sources: Hisense VIDAA U9 manual · Hisense VIDAA U5 manual

VIDAA menus differ between versions and countries. If yours didn’t match, tell us your VIDAA version and what you saw, so we can add it.

Fire TV

Fire TV collects device and app usage data, and Fire TV smart TVs also collect aerial viewing data. CleanYourTV’s cleanup works on Fire TV too.

Step 1 Turn off usage data and ads
Stops sharing how you use the device and its apps, and ads stop being targeted at you.
1. Settings
2. Preferences
3. Privacy Settings
- Device Usage DataOff
- Collect App Usage DataOff
- Interest-based AdsOff
Undo
Turn each one back on in the same menu.
Sources: Amazon help · NAI
Step 2 Turn off aerial viewing dataFire TV smart TVs
Stops sharing what you watch through the aerial.
1. Settings
2. Preferences
3. Privacy Settings
- Over-the-air Viewing DataOff
Only on TVs with Fire TV built in. On a stick, skip this.
Undo
Turn it back on.
Source: Amazon help

Google TV

On Google TV the switches are about ads; Sony and TCL add their own. These TVs run Android TV or Google TV, so CleanYourTV works on them and goes further.

Step 1 Delete the advertising ID
Deletes the TV’s advertising ID.
Google TV
1. Settings
2. Privacy
3. Ads
- Delete advertising IDSelect
Older Android TV
1. Settings
2. About
3. Legal Information
4. Ads
- Delete advertising IDSelect
Deleting is stronger than resetting. Or choose Opt out of Ads Personalization.
Undo
Turn personalised ads back on in the same menu.
Sources: NAI · Google: ads
Step 2 Turn off Samba Interactive TVSony only
Stops Sony’s ACR recognising what’s on screen and reporting it.
1. Settings
2. All Settings
3. Privacy
- Samba Interactive TVOff
That’s Sony’s ACR. Older sets keep it under System or Device Preferences. Not a Sony? Skip this.
Undo
Turn it back on.
Source: Consumer Reports, Oct 2025
Step 3 Withdraw the optional agreementsTCL only
Says no to TCL’s optional data sharing.
1. Settings
2. Privacy
3. User Agreements
- User Experience Improvement ProgramOff
Withdraw the optional agreements there too. Not a TCL? Skip this.
Undo
Accept them again.
Source: Consumer Reports, Oct 2025

You can’t decline Google’s own terms and keep the smart features, so leave those.

Sources

Each step’s own sources are listed with it.

Model years

Last checked 26 Oct 2026. Spotted a wrong menu path? Open an issue.

Have an Android TV or Google TV? CleanYourTV goes further.It switches off the tracking and ad apps themselves over Wi-Fi and swaps the ad-filled home screen for a clean one. No root, and one line puts it all back. We don’t recommend rooting a TV to get rid of tracking: it can brick it.

Check your TV

Clean up your non-Android TV

1Which TV do you have?

Settings only cover what the TV maker lets you switch off.

Put the TV on your guest network

NextDNS

Pi-hole

AdGuard Home

Then add the tracker list for your TV

Samsung

LG

Roku

Vizio

Hisense VIDAA

Is your home network blocking TV tracking?

Good to know

Samsung

Step 1 Turn off Viewing Information Services

Step 2 Untick the rest on that screen

Step 3 Reset the ad ID

Step 4 Turn off Bixby’s wake word

Step 5 Flip the mic switchIf your TV has one

Step 6 Leave Pet Care offQ8F and higher

LG

Step 1 Turn off Live Plus

Step 2 Decline the optional agreements

Step 3 Limit ad tracking

Step 4 Stop the home screen promotions

Step 5 Leave hands-free voice offIf you turned on “Hi LG”

Roku

Step 1 Turn off ACR

Step 2 Turn off personalised ads

Step 3 Check the microphone settings

Vizio

Step 1 Turn off Viewing Data

Step 2 Don’t link your viewing to Walmart

Step 3 Limit ad tracking

Hisense VIDAA

Step 1 Turn off Enhanced Viewing

Step 2 Turn off the rest of Enhanced Viewing

Step 3 Turn off personalised ads

Step 4 Check what you agreed to

Step 5 Turn off hands-free voice

Fire TV

Step 1 Turn off usage data and ads

Step 2 Turn off aerial viewing dataFire TV smart TVs

Google TV

Step 1 Delete the advertising ID

Step 2 Turn off Samba Interactive TVSony only

Step 3 Withdraw the optional agreementsTCL only

Model years