Forum Discussion

JYaya's avatar
JYaya
Reel Rookie
2 years ago
Solved

Is the remote always listening and does Roku collect and sell the data?

We just got a new Roku remote and I realized it has voice listening capabilities for voice commands. This makes me wonder is the remote always listening and does it retain recordings of private conversations? Does Roku collect and sell this data?

remotes
  • RokuCarly's avatar
    RokuCarly
    2 years ago

    A warm welcome here in the Roku Community, NoDataforYOU!

    Thanks for raising your concern here with us. No worries. We'd be more than happy to assist you with this. 

    We actually offer the Roku simple remote, which uses invisible infrared (IR) light to transmit button presses over a short distance. For it to operate reliably, it must be pointed directly at the Roku streaming device, and there must be nothing that could block the signal from traveling to the front of that device where the IR is located. 

    Let us know if this answers your question or if you have any others. We'd be more than willing to help. 

    Best regards,
    Carly

22 Replies

  • Leaky13's avatar
    Leaky13
    Channel Surfer
    3 months ago

    Yes.  100% yes.  Roku does in fact monitor and use AI to assess voice, speech, and other factors with it's audio inputs.  Transmits that data to Roku servers to be assessed and sold as a source of targeted marketing.

    Roku tries to deny claims, but the FCC and FTC and several ATT Generals are aware of the compliance issues with their devices listening to people and are investigating the matters further.

    The best way to figure this out is to assess the remotes battery.  Before I took mine apart and sent in the hardware to be tested.  My normal non-voice light up remote would last over a year until it needed to be charged.  
    I got a new Roku TV for another room.  Got a new backlight remote (this time voice) because they don't sell the other one anymore apparently.  This device after a full charge and VOICE TURNED OFF, always lasts about 2-3 weeks.  It's OBVIOUS that the device is using battery for other resources while the remote is sitting.  

    I even tested the device by not using it for 2-3 weeks.  Using my phone for the TV at all times and let the remote sit there for the time period.  AGAIN, 2-3 weeks, the battery was dead.  The battery is not the issue, though roku will try to claim it's "defective" to cover their own butts.  But 100% sure after taking the remotes apart and seeing how they operate, they are listening and monitoring, just like phones do.   To Sell your voice data for marketing.

  • makaiguy's avatar
    makaiguy
    Community Streaming Expert
    2 years ago

    If you have the rechargeable Voice Remote Pro it has the capability of listening for voice commands full time.   There is a slide switch on the left side that can turn the always-listening capability off.  Otherwise, it is the same as the other Voice Remotes, it only listens when you hold down the microphone button on the front of the remote.

     

    • JYaya's avatar
      JYaya
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      Thank you for trying to answer my question. Respectfully, I don't know if that's completely accurate?? After I posted my question I was able to finally locate the privacy policy and it says "You can also disable Roku’s retention of voice recordings captured on your remote control or mobile device by logging into your account on Roku.com and visiting the Voice Settings page." The wording makes me feel like Roku retains voice recordings and why would they do that? To sell the data maybe? The privacy policy specifically regarding the remote wasn't much more clear than this. Is there a way to ask a Roku employee directly that you know of?

      In any event, I do plan on visiting the Voice Settings page to disable the retention of my voice recordings. I'm just SO tired of corporations invading my personal privacy without my explicit permission. 

      • makaiguy's avatar
        makaiguy
        Community Streaming Expert
        2 years ago

        I keep the slide switch off on my Pro, more to conserve battery than any worries about privacy.  I also have a couple of other non-Pro ones where the button HAS to be pressed to register anything.  I guess it's possible they listen anyway - it certainly COULD be designed that way - but that seems unlikely to me.

        I have noticed the command recognition seems to improve over time, which I think means it is getting tuned to one's voice and speech patterns.  There would have to be something retained in memory for that, I'd think.

        Edited to add:
        I've been unable to find anything online mentioning that Roku can learn your voice for improved recognition, so it could just be something I've imagined.