Americans want stricter rules on smart device tracking

By AI, Created 10:31 PM UTC, June 03, 2026, /AGP/ – A new Reviews.org survey finds broad support for plain-language data disclosures for connected devices, as Americans grow more willing to disconnect or switch brands over privacy concerns. The findings suggest smart TVs, voice assistants and AI tools are now colliding with rising consumer skepticism about how much data they collect.

Why it matters: - Americans are signaling that convenience is no longer enough when connected devices collect personal data. - The survey points to a market and policy shift toward clearer privacy disclosures, stronger consumer control and more pressure on smart device makers. - Smart TVs, voice assistants and AI assistants are now mainstream enough that data collection practices affect millions of households.

What happened: - Reviews.org released its State of Consumer Data 2026 report on June 8, 2026. - The survey found 83% of Americans would support legislation requiring smart device manufacturers to disclose data collection practices in plain language. - The report found 78% would disconnect a device if they learned it was collecting more data than disclosed. - Reviews.org said 77% of households own a smart TV, making it the most widely owned connected home device.

The details: - 74% of respondents would switch to a competing brand with better privacy practices if a device crossed a line on data collection. - 65% said they are concerned about Amazon Alexa and Google Gemini collecting their data. - 64% said the same about ChatGPT. - 63% said the same about Siri. - Consumers largely feel they should not have to research how tech companies are handling their data. - That sentiment is driving support for plain-language disclosure legislation. - The full report is available here. - Reviews.org surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults online for the report. - The sample was stratified by age, gender and geographic region to reflect U.S. Census data. - The survey covered connected device ownership, smart device data awareness, brand trust, privacy experiences, AI assistant attitudes and responses to invasive data collection.

Between the lines: - The findings suggest privacy concerns are moving from abstract worries to concrete consumer behavior. - Willingness to disconnect devices or change brands gives regulators and rivals a stronger incentive to treat data transparency as a selling point. - Smart TV dominance matters because viewing data, ad tracking and household behavior can become central privacy flashpoints. - Reviews.org’s framing reflects a broader consumer expectation that data practices should be easy to understand without technical digging.

What’s next: - Pressure on manufacturers may intensify if lawmakers take up plain-language disclosure requirements. - Privacy practices could become a sharper competitive differentiator for smart device and AI product makers. - Consumers may keep rewarding brands that make data collection easier to understand and easier to control.