Chinese Smart TV Caught Spying on Users
The Chinese smart TV manufacturer Skyworth has been accused of spying on its users. Reports indicate that every 10 minutes, the device scanned users’ homes for other devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. The issue was first raised by a contributor to the V2EX website, who published an article titled “My TV Tracks All Connected Devices,” detailing his observations with his Skyworth TV.
It turns out that the smart TV had the Gozen Data app installed, which was embedded in the Android-based operating system. “Recently, I noticed my TV was running slowly, so I decided to check which background services were active,” the TV owner wrote. “That’s when I discovered something called ‘Gozen Data Service,’ and I had no idea what it was.”
The app scanned and collected data about devices, their network cards, IP addresses, and user names connected to local Wi-Fi networks.
Company Response and Expert Opinions
Although the company claims that the data was used for targeted advertising rather than surveillance, investigative journalist Xin Jian pointed out that the Android Smart TV operating system had been specifically repurposed by the Chinese government for monitoring households in rural areas:
“This app is a type of spyware installed on users’ smartphones, TVs, and other Android devices. It automatically scans and collects data about devices, usage information, and social connections, uploading them to a government database for online monitoring.”
Other social media posts revealed that users are generally concerned about how Android TVs operate, while some reported that Xiaomi routers request Wi-Fi-related information every few seconds.
Concerns About Data Control
Song, a legal scholar from Shanxi, suggests that the surveillance is aimed at achieving total control over what people say to each other. “The government is increasing its control over people’s data for ideological purposes,” he said. “They also hope to influence people’s minds and lives through government propaganda. They will decide what news and information you should have access to.”