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Consumers have bought more than 11 million internet-connected Vizio televisions since 2010. But according to a complaint filed by the FTC and the New Jersey Attorney General, consumers didn’t know that while they were watching their TVs, Vizio was watching them. The lawsuit challenges the company’s tracking practices and offers insights into how established consumer protection principles apply to smart technology.

Starting in 2014, Vizio made TVs that automatically tracked what consumers were watching and transmitted that data back to its servers. Vizio even retrofitted older models by installing its tracking software remotely. All of this, the FTC and AG allege, was done without clearly telling consumers or getting their consent.

What did Vizio know about what was going on in the privacy of consumers’ homes? On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.

Vizio then turned that mountain of data into cash by selling consumers’ viewing histories to advertisers and others. And let’s be clear: We’re not talking about summary information about national viewing trends. According to the complaint, Vizio got personal. The company provided consumers’ IP addresses to data aggregators, who then matched the address with an individual consumer or household. Vizio’s contracts with third parties prohibited the re-identification of consumers and households by name, but allowed a host of other personal details – for example, sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education, and home ownership.  And Vizio permitted these companies to track and target its consumers across devices.

That’s what Vizio was up to behind the screen, but what was the company telling consumers? Not much, according to the complaint.

Vizio put its tracking functionality behind a setting called “Smart Interactivity.”  But the FTC and New Jersey AG say that the generic way the company described that feature – for example, “enables program offers and suggestions” – didn’t give consumers the necessary heads-up to know that Vizio was tracking their TV’s every flicker. (Oh, and the “Smart Interactivity” feature didn’t even provide the promised “program offers and suggestions.”)

The complaint alleges that Vizio engaged in unfair trade practices that violated the FTC Act and were unconscionable under New Jersey law. The complaint also alleges that Vizio failed to adequately disclose the nature of its “Smart Interactivity” feature and misled consumers with its generic name and description.

To settle the case, Vizio has agreed to stop unauthorized tracking, to prominently disclose its TV viewing collection practices, and to get consumers’ express consent before collecting and sharing viewing information. In addition, the company must delete most of the data it collected and put a privacy program in place that evaluates Vizio’s practices and its partners. The order also includes a $1.5 million payment to the FTC and an additional civil penalty to New Jersey for a total of $2.2 million.

Here are tips smart companies take from the latest law enforcement action involving smart products, which were also discussed at the FTC’s recent Smart TV workshop.

  • Explain your data collection practices up front.  Tell consumers from the outset about the information you intend to collect. Ditch the tech talk and use easy-to-understand language. Especially when explaining new technologies or data collection people may not expect, transparency can be the key to customer loyalty.
  • Get consumers’ consent before you collect and share highly specific information about their entertainment preferences.  If consumers wouldn’t expect you to be collecting information from them, especially sensitive information, make sure they consent to what you intend to do. The best way to accomplish that is to get their opt-in to the practice – in other words, to express their consent affirmatively.
  • Make it easy for consumers to exercise options.  Would a function called “Smart Interactivity” that “enables program offers and suggestions” clue consumers in that everything they watch is being collected and shared with third parties? We don’t think so. Companies can hardly claim to offer consumers a choice if the tools necessary to exercise that choice are hard to find or hidden behind plain-vanilla descriptors.
  • Established consumer protection principles apply to new technology.  FTC guidance documents like Careful Connections: Building Security in the Internet of Things, .com Disclosures: How to Make Effective Disclosures in Digital Advertising, and Start with Security may not have “Smart TV” in the title, but smart businesses look to them for advice on avoiding deceptive or unfair practices.

Anna Angeline …
February 06, 2017
This is outrageous, disgraceful & this crime should penalize the companies any with restitution to the individuals that were scammed! Why should the FTC receive the fruits of this crime? The people - the victims Should receive compensation!
Tricia
February 08, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

I thought the same thing! The people should get the money.
Gaylord Popp
September 14, 2017

In reply to by Tricia

I thought the same thing! The people should get the money. If they aren't in your pocket then you can claim and we can help you with that.
Guest
February 08, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

No amount of money will compensate for such an outrageous invasion of privacy. Big brother feels awfully entitled to sneak and spy.
Big Brother
February 09, 2017

In reply to by Guest

Well, I've been do it to you for years through your own government. Why not let big business share the wealth? ;-)
Also Wondering
February 08, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

I think this for every fine imposed on some company then paid to the federal or state government! Why is it not always treated as a class action suit with some of the funds allocated to determine the impacted people and funds to pay for the disbursement process! Yes, yes, feds and states need funding too. I'd even be ok if they took 30% off the top of the fine, and in theory with them increasing the fine so that the citizens get full disbursement. Who are the brains behind this racket? Why do we let this happen?
sighthoundman
February 10, 2017

In reply to by Also Wondering

So sue. If you get there first, you get a bigger cut (lead plaintiff in a class action). Run!
Arthur Scarr
February 08, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

I have 3 of these TV's does that mean you'll break up the fine equally for all owners I mean seriously you let the government collect the fine but we the people who are spied on get nothing but a it won't happen again which you know is nothing but a LIE... Where is the owners law suite for this spying? Class action law suite for the people who've been targeted and used.... ????
Ramón Rojo
February 08, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

Thank you !!! That's exactly what I was thinking !! Why is FTC getting paid ?? What about us ??
Justin
February 14, 2017

In reply to by Ramón Rojo

The FTC Is getting paid because it was a FINE. This was not a class action (or otherwise) lawsuit. YOU DO NOT GET ANY MONEY. The last time a speeder got a fine in your neighborhood, did the cops give you a cut of it? Why? IT WAS A FINE.
lfair
February 14, 2017

In reply to by Justin

Just to clarify, the FTC isn't getting paid either. In this case, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury, not specifically to the FTC.  In many case, the FTC does win back money for consumers.  For example, in just the past few months, we've returned more than $250 million directly back to consumers as a result of our cases against companies like Herbalife, AT&T, and Lumosity. But in other cases, the cost of printing and mailing individual checks makes refunds not possible. In those cases, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury (not to the FTC).

But money isn't the only result in the Vizio case. The settlement requires Vizio to destroy data the FTC alleges was illegally collected and puts provisions in place so that Vizio has to change its business practices from here on in. We think that's an important step for protecting consumer in the future.

 

Wally World
March 14, 2017

In reply to by lfair

AND...the taxpayers took the risk in hiring attorneys, when the settlement could have been zero. The taxpayers sued and won, the money goes into the treasury to benefit the taxpayers. If any of the "impacted consumers" are not taxpayers, hire an attorney and sue Visio yourself. Expect your damages to be about tree fiddy.
richmond2000
July 14, 2018

In reply to by lfair

my thought is VIZIO destroys the data THEY HAVE what about the DATA they SOLD was there ANY effort to require Vizio to even show where the data was sold to? IMHO that should be required to be disclosed and further the DATA being ILLEGAL THOSE COMPANIES should not be allowed to USE that data "fruit of the poisoned tree" principle
Richard
February 08, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

I believe the same thing. Also, why only people in New Jersey receiving compensation? What about everyone else across this Nation? Shouldn't WE get compensated for the intrusion of our Privacy too?calle cashel
Canuck
February 10, 2017

In reply to by Richard

Not just your Nation. All Canadian displays are also sending data to about a dozen US IP's. This when Vizio's website states Smart Interactivity is for US only, and the Smart Interactivity control always says "Switched Off".
Citizen X
February 10, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

Folks, the federal govt levies fines. It's up to to the consumer to sue these companies. And I guarantee the lawsuits wont be for 2.2 million.
Teryl
June 24, 2018

In reply to by Citizen X

I found out this is happening to me I feel so sick to know I’m being watched they still haven’t stopped spying on people just found another way of doing it something needs to be done about this these third parties companies need to be held accountable for these crimes that’s what this is crimes
lfair
February 13, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

The money doesn't go to the FTC.  In fact, in most cases, the FTC works to get money back directly to consumers. For example, in just the last four months alone, the FTC has distributed over $250 million to consumers as the result of recent FTC settlements with AT&T, Herbalife, Lumosity, One Technologies, Mercola.com, and others. But in some cases, refunds are just not feasible because the individual check amounts would be too small, especially compared with the cost of printing and mailing the check. Vizio is one of those cases. When refunds aren’t feasible, the money goes to the U.S. Treasury – not to the FTC – to help pay the cost of operating the federal government.

Bonzadog
February 23, 2017

In reply to by Anna Angeline …

This is one step further about sending data about our lives. Facebook, Twitter and Co. are all at it. This is not compatible with the "the land of the free". I dislike my data being send anywhere. So open to misuse. Bur why does everyone accept this - ok a few protests here and there but nothing changes and the data collection carries on.
Adil
February 06, 2017
thank you for doing this! As a Vizio Smart TV owner, this is very disturbing.
Sandra Weiskopf
February 06, 2017
My husband & I bought a Vizio TVa couple years ago at Wal-Mark in Sheboygan, Wi 53081. It is still working but our son-in-law gave us a larger one last month as he no longer needed it. When reading about Vizio just now I was wondering what this is all about??? What actions can be taken if any?? Thank you.Sandi Weiskopf
Oliver F
February 06, 2017
Help me understand, how much money did they make selling the information? Was it more than $2.2 million? What's the compensation plan for customers who had their data stolen? Where is there meaningful deterrent of this kind of behavior?
Gord
February 07, 2017

In reply to by Oliver F

Back in May of 2015 RadioShack sold about 67 million records for 26.2 million that included some other assets.
Dan Mayer
February 06, 2017
That isn't a sufficient fine considering how they invaded my and many other people's privacy. They should also be forced to remove that off all old TVs that it was added to.
Kara
February 06, 2017
Probably be first and last time I purchase a Vizio product.
Gary Dauphin
February 06, 2017
I am the damaged consumer. Why am I not be compensated for the intrusion of my privacy, while the State and Federal governments get $2.2 million?
CustomerVZO
February 09, 2017

In reply to by Gary Dauphin

Wow!... This is insane! Vizio robs consumers of their privacy & makes bukhu money on selling that data! Then FTC comes along, sueing Vizio, and takes its cut & leaves end consumers to dust! So FTC gets benefit for not doing its job in first place & Vizio already got huge returns!... Who's there to stop these both beneficiaries extorting consumers?... Vizio or any company should feel encouraged to do this fearlessly 'cause if at all they get caught they only have to provide back minor cut(which is probably pennies to dollars)!... Ideally FTC should be sued also for not appropriately doing its job!...
jeff.
February 06, 2017
3 million is a drop in the bucket. They FCC should have fined them a hell of a lot more. they make 50M a year in profit. they should have been fined closer to 20M
Larry Taylor
February 06, 2017
A more appropriate penalty would be a fine of, say, 25 percent of the company's net worth. With a year in prison for the CEO. End of problem.
Neil
February 06, 2017
Fines totaling a mere 3.7 million? Is this a joke? Did everyone have a good laugh on the way out?
Betty
February 06, 2017
I will never purchase anything from vizio ever again. This is a free ciuntry and yoy took your freedom too far. All for the great old dollar. Shame on you for spying on the public. ALL YOU. HAD TO DO IS ASK BEFORE YOU PLANTED. THAT DEVICE.
John Bon Jovi
February 06, 2017
Visio found that people are sheep and watch whatever is fed to them
Jennifer Burgess
February 06, 2017
I have one of these Tvs, and I had bought a refurbished Vizio in 2009 what are our options
NotAWalletVoter
February 07, 2017

In reply to by Jennifer Burgess

You are voting with your wallet. Vizio can see you a TV that is cheaper than other brands because they have an alternate revenue stream - your viewing data. If you want your data to remain private, then don't sell it. Buy some other brand. If its more expensive, that's the way it is. If the absolute lowest price is your only criteria, you get what you deserve.
Baby Gerald
February 09, 2017

In reply to by NotAWalletVoter

You're assuming that other 'smart TV' manufacturers aren't doing exactly what Vizio is doing. I met someone who worked for NBC and told me that the networks are in on this scheme as well, and are trying to beat the smart TV companies at their own game by hiring programmers to build their own revenue streams. Because the data Vizio was selling was linked directly to individual consumers, one would assume it should be easy to compensate said consumers directly.
Ichigo wanbago
September 04, 2017

In reply to by NotAWalletVoter

Wow!! You get what you deserve. Do you hear yourself whoever you are? You get what you deserve? So being poor and getting the least expensive t.v. means you get what you deserve. Why can't it just be about the company's unfair practice? There is always One isn't there? It's about the people who can't afford anything else huh? So they should get everything substandard, and always come in last place for you huh? Richie Rich.
K Brown
February 06, 2017
So the FTC and the government get $2.2 million, but the people who's privacy was actually violated get zero. Nice to know the public is being protected.
Mike Farrell
February 06, 2017
I bought a Vizio. I won't do that again. Period.
Jerry Holland
February 07, 2017
I bought my vizio smart tv at walmart in 2014. I know it was sometime around summer
Matt B
February 07, 2017
2.2 million is an absolute joke after they probably made 2.2 million off the tv's in the first month.
John Nagle
February 07, 2017
This is great. And whoever did it will be fired by Trump.
AnEscapedOompa…
February 08, 2017

In reply to by John Nagle

FIRE THEM?!?! As many thousands of people Trumpkinhead had stepped on the broken backs of, especially the Mom and Pop stores he has SUED INTO POVERTY, he will probably hire Samsung to run the CIA, and try to force ALL OTHER TV MAKERS to install even MORE devices like CMOS tiny cams and have Microsoft put in that HoloLens crap so every time he gives a speech to tell grammatically incorrect lies and make up words, it will be broadcast in everyone's living room in 3D Star Wars style, he's such a egomaniac
Justin
February 14, 2017

In reply to by John Nagle

You failed civics, in school, didn't you? Trump (or any President for that matter) has absolutely not power to fire anyone from any job in the private sector. The only jobs he can terminate are those in the executive branch. Seriously, our public schooling is obviously crap anymore..
Dave
February 07, 2017
This is abhorrent. Vizio is dead to me.
Matthew Johnston
February 07, 2017
Wow, thank you to the FTC for doing tier job well!
Thomas M. DeBoni
February 07, 2017
This is a pretty awful violation of ethics and invasion of privacy. The company should be made to buy back every affected device for full purchase price. And all other smart tv manufacturers should be required to be completely transparent about what they and their devices do and are capable of!
Raped American
February 07, 2017
So Vizio gets a total of a $3.7 Million fine collected by two different government organizations that will squander the money away (or siphon it into private pockets), meanwhile the actual Americans who have had THEIR private data STOLEN and used to generate FAR MORE MONEY than that paltry fine, will get NOTHING. There's even strong evidence that those of us who already knew this "Smart Interactivity" was exactly what was listed in the above article, CONTINUES to collect and send data even if it's "switched off", as of the menu choice doesn't actually do anything but pacify you into believing it's actually turned off. Where's the actual punishment for companies like this? Where's the justice for the American's who have had their data stolen. You want to SHOW a company like this the true path to redemption? You make the REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF EVERY VIZIO TV PURCHASED SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THEIR "SMART INTERACTIVITY" FEATURE! You want to come into my home and steal from me, then get caught red handed? I want my DAMN MONEY BACK for having been tricked into bringing your crap into my house.
More like stup…
February 07, 2017

In reply to by Raped American

Uh, the FTC was the one that caught them, not you. At least Vizio will pay for the cost of the enforcement action -- otherwise as taxpayers we'd pay for that. But you don't deserve a payday just for buying one.

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