When it comes to buying interesting, unique or fun gadgets and devices for Christmas, items like computers, phones, and televisions are guaranteed to make the perfect gift for either ourselves, a family member or friend. However, owning an electronic device comes with risking possible violations of our privacy.

There was a warning from the FBI (so you know this is a serious issue) that the Smart t.v is being used to spy on people. These devices connect to the internet, and has other features like streaming programs, increasing the volume and switching channels using voice commands, which is beneficial and dangerous at the same time. The manufactures of these so called 'smart televisions' did not tightly secure the components that other devices have like microphones, cameras, and sometimes facial recognition software, which resulted in a technological disaster.

According to CBS news, technology that is poorly designed and not fully secured will become vulnerable to attacks by cyber criminals. Every day, people (including myself) are finding it more difficult to trust the manufacturers who are creating these smart home devices. Problems that can occur from these cyber-attacks include manipulating volume, channels, program content or spying on you through the camera from the television in your bedroom.

According to CNN, these devices are likely to get compromised due to the advanced software they contain. Hackers can access your information by using your router. Updating will help increase security protection, so it is important to check the settings, change the password, and turn off your camera and microphone. These incidents happened many times before when it was discovered that smart TVs from Samsung, Vizio and LG (it's like a quarter quell of poorly made devices cyber criminals breached) had spied and delivered information on everything people watched directly to the manufactures.

When the Video Privacy Protection Act was passed in 1988, surveillance of people via technology became illegal, but it does not matter since completing the EULA (those notices that people never read) and setting up your smart TV, automatically gives manufacturers permission to collect your data.

If precautions are not taken soon, this issue will continue getting worse. It is advised that users limit their streaming services, and be mindful of how they collect information. Streaming services in itself has become televised poison (which should be a future Netflix category) ever since Disney started their own streaming service, joining Hulu, Netflix and Amazon. It's ridiculous in a way that every big corporation needs to have their own service and how they are constantly fighting for the world's attention like toddlers.

While technology is becoming more advanced, the people using them are the ones who need to be smarter. By reading the instructions and not using your new device until research is done on the functions, settings, and technical errors, this might ensure that everyone's personal information remains safe, and your favorite television shows can be viewed without having to worry about the t.v watching you.