Most smart TVs have no camera, but check yours anyway
Engadget explains how to find out if your smart TV has a camera, how to cover or disable it, and why a camera is only one privacy risk.
The facts
- According to Engadget, smart TVs with built-in cameras are rare. Sony's Bravia Cam is still supported, and Samsung's older F-series sets have built-in units.
- To check, find the model number, then read the specs on the maker's website for the word "camera". Video-call features alone don't prove there is one, because you may be able to plug in your own camera.
- Look along the top edge of the frame for a small lens or a rectangular break where a camera retracts. On a used TV, also check for a detachable camera accessory.
- Engadget says the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act was still in the Senate as of late October 2026. It adds that Sony says Bravia Cam's sensing feature doesn't send images over the network.
Case notes · Danny's take
Why it matters
A camera on your TV doesn't mean someone is watching. But it's one more internet-connected lens in the room where you relax. Most people never check, and that's the point. The camera gets the attention, while the microphone and the tracking of what you watch stay on in the background.
For builders
If you make connected devices, a physical shutter or a removable camera is a cheap way to earn trust. Don't leave privacy to a settings menu that nobody can find.
Not financial advice. Do your own investigation.
This story was summarised with AI from Engadget's reporting and checked against our editorial policy. Danny's take reflects his views. Disclaimer.
Danny Walter
Founder of Moon Republic, Volt Terminal and Moon Republic Academy. Author of The Market Is a Crime Scene and After the Applause.