We’ve all done it. We’ve overheard the neighbours arguing, so we’ve turned down the telly, told everyone to shut up and tried to listen to what’s being said. We’ve all done a bit of net curtain twitching too, when we’ve seen something interesting going on outside. So chances are, someone has been spying on us too.

We’re not talking secret agents and James Bond here. Not spies in the traditional MI5 or MI6 sense. Not even Hermione Granger and her extendable ears. We’re talking technology in your own home. More and more technology addicts (or lazy people to be more accurate) are getting Smart TVs. These are the ones where you can access apps to download movies, they’re connected to the internet; you can record and pause programmes all without the aid of a set-top box or subscribing to the like of Virgin and Sky. You can also TELL the TV what to do and this is where the trouble starts.

Talk TV

Samsung is just one of the many TV manufacturers using this technology. So if you’re sat there getting confused over the latest episode of Broadchurch, wondering what the hell is going on and why that broad, Charlotte Church hasn’t turned up yet, you can shout, “Oi! Telly! Switch over to The Great British Bake Off!” and despite your impoliteness, the TV will do as you command. Or say you’re a massive fan of Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt or – more sensibly – Hattie Jacques. You can ask it to seek out movies starring such legends and record them.

Pretty soon your relationship with your television is blossoming. You’re telling it what to do, it’s obliging you and carrying out all your commands. It records all your favourite movies and you’re seriously considering making enquiries into how you can marry your television. However, secretly there is something fishy going on. Your television has been listening in on all the conversations you’ve been having. Yes, even the conversations that do not involve the television.

Access All Areas

So all those times you’ve not been saying, “Record Miss Marple” and have been arguing with the milkman or booking a taxi or even asking the cat, “Are you coming in? Staying out? Or what?!” your television has been listening to them all, secretly recording them and maybe even passing them on. But why?

Well, according to Samsung their TV owners’ voices have been uploaded to the internet, making it easier for hackers to spy on individuals. This was all brought to light by British cybersecurity experts (possibly James Bond). Basically, if your neighbour wanted to, they could listen into your conversations without having to stick a whisky glass up against the wall. If they had access to your wi-fi (which is possible if they’re friends and you’ve given them the password) they could access your TV. Your telly could even be accessed by your internet service provider.

Hacked Off

Pretty soon everyone you know and don’t know could be listening in as you go about your daily business. We’ve even seen recently how in an unrelated case, some naughty people in Russia were managing to access private webcams. It does make you wonder how many people are spying on us in our own homes. So unless you wish to abandon technology and move into a cave near Land’s End, what are we to do?

Samsung say they’ve sorted the unfortunate spying trouble and that newer models are more resistant to hacking. They also say the risk of older models being hacked is fairly minimal but it is still possible. So the key is to not purchase an older Samsung smart TV. If you must have a smart TV, always go for the latest model, regardless of manufacturer. Also, as we always say, keep changing your passwords! Few of us actually do it but make sure every few months you change your passwords on everything. Aside from all that, if your television starts talking back to you, then it’s time to switch it off and go out more. Do something else. Like go to the cinema. Or spy on the neighbours.

Talk TV

Access All Areas

Hacked Off

For the original report about this story, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31523497