Can I Be Tracked on My Smart TV While Using a VPN? Think again. Discover how your TV might still track you — and 7 ways to stop it completely in 2025.
Even With VPN, Your Smart TV Might Still Be Watching You
You’re using a VPN on your smart TV — thinking you’re fully anonymous.
But guess what?
Even with your VPN turned on, you may still be tracked.
Smart TVs in 2025 are more invasive than ever. From built-in trackers, ad IDs, to third-party apps — your data is still being collected, analyzed, and sometimes sold.
Whether you’re using a Samsung TV, LG WebOS, Android TV, Fire Stick, or Roku — this guide reveals:
How tracking works even with VPN
7 ways to stop it permanently
The truth about privacy on smart TVs in 2025
Can Smart TVs Track You Even If You’re Using a VPN?
Yes, they can.
A VPN only hides your external IP address, but smart TVs have multiple ways to track and fingerprint you internally.
Here’s how:
| Tracking Method | Works Even with VPN? | How to Block |
|---|---|---|
| Device ID | ✅ Yes | Change/reset TV ID |
| App Tracking | ✅ Yes | Block app permissions |
| MAC Address | ✅ Yes | MAC randomization or router spoofing |
| Ad Tracking ID | ✅ Yes | Turn off interest-based ads |
| DNS Leak | ✅ Sometimes | Use DNS-over-VPN or manually set DNS |
| HDMI Device Logs | ✅ Yes | Clear connection history |
| Voice Assistants | ✅ Yes | Disable completely |
VPN helps hide your external IP, but does NOT prevent tracking by internal OS-level trackers or TV apps.
Real Example:
You install a VPN on your Fire TV Stick. Great — your Netflix region is now US.
But your Samsung Smart Hub or LG ad services still know:
- What you watched
- When you watched
- Your TV model, device ID
- How you interact with the remote
- Apps you open
Because these are tracked via app analytics SDKs, device logs, and ad identifiers — not IP addresses.
7 Ways to Stop Smart TV Tracking (Even When VPN is ON)
1. Disable “Interest-Based Ads” in TV Settings
- Samsung TV:
- Settings → Support → Terms & Policy → “Enable Interest Based Ads” → OFF
- LG TV:
- Settings → General → About This TV → User Agreements → Uncheck ad-related ones
This disables ad personalization and reduces behavioral tracking.
2. Block Internet Access to Smart Hub / Analytics Servers
If you’re using Pi-hole, AdGuard DNS, or custom router settings — block common tracking domains like:
samsungacr.comlgad.cjpowercast.comtvsamsungplay.comamazon-adsystem.com
A VPN + DNS blocker gives double-layer protection.
3. Use VPN Router Instead of Smart TV VPN App
Problem: Smart TVs often don’t tunnel all traffic via VPN.
Solution:
Setup your VPN directly on your router or use a pre-configured VPN router.
This ensures 100% traffic, even OS/system traffic, goes through VPN.
4. Disable ACR (Automatic Content Recognition)
ACR watches what you’re watching — frame by frame.
To disable:
- Samsung:
- Settings → Support → Terms & Policies → Viewing Information Services → OFF
- LG:
- Settings → All Settings → General → LivePlus → OFF
- Android TV:
- Remove Google Ads ID or limit tracking from ad settings.
5. Use a Separate Streaming Device (Like Fire TV Stick) with VPN
Many smart TVs won’t let you install proper VPN apps.
Instead, use:
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Google Chromecast with Google TV
- Apple TV (with DNS spoofing)
These allow better control, including protocol selection, kill switch, and app-level blocking.
6. Reset or Randomize Your MAC Address
Some smart TVs use your MAC address as a fingerprint.
Use these tricks:
- On router: Enable MAC randomization
- Use network isolation in router admin panel
- Connect through guest network with isolated mode ON
Less device data = fewer tracking trails.
7. Turn Off Voice Recognition & Microphone Access
Smart assistants like Bixby, Alexa, Google Assistant listen to commands — and everything else.
Disable them:
- Samsung → Settings → Voice → Bixby → OFF
- LG → Settings → AI Service → Voice Recognition → OFF
- Android TV → Remove microphone permission for apps
These assistants are known to leak data back to cloud even with VPNs on.
Pro Tips
- Use ProtonVPN, Surfshark, or NordVPN — they allow router setup, kill switch, and DNS leak protection.
- Regularly delete watch history, ad data, and reset identifiers.
- Block outgoing port 443 or 80 for tracking domains via router if possible.
FAQs
Q1. Will a VPN hide my Smart TV usage from my ISP?
Yes. If properly configured, VPN encrypts all traffic and hides your activity from ISP.
Q2. Does Netflix know who I am even with VPN?
If you’re logged into your Netflix account — yes. VPN only hides your IP, not account behavior.
Q3. Can Samsung Smart TVs track me with VPN on?
Yes, via internal logging, ACR, and MAC ID. Disable those settings manually.
Q4. Should I use a VPN on the TV or on my router?
Router is better. Most smart TVs don’t fully route traffic via VPN apps.
Q5. Is Fire Stick with VPN better than Smart TV built-in apps?
Yes — more privacy, control, and VPN options.
Conclusion:
You thought your VPN was enough.
But smart TVs are smarter — and sneakier.
They use device-level logging, voice tracking, ACR, app analytics, and MAC address tracking.
VPN alone can’t stop all of that.
But now you know exactly how to block every layer of tracking — from ad ID to ACR, voice, and DNS leaks.
Protect your privacy in 2025 — because your living room shouldn’t be a spy zone.