Last revised date: November 1, 2021

 

How Sony uses TV data

 

In order to provide TV service, Sony Corporation (gSonyh) uses the IP address and certain information about your TV to connect your TV to the internet, to provide content and services you request, and to provide software updates. In addition, if you give consent, we also use TV data to provide Sony Smart TV functionality, to create content recommendations, to develop better products and services, and to provide you with advertisements and marketing.

 

This privacy policy also explains what is included in the TV data we collect, with whom we share TV data, how we transfer it to other countries, how long we keep TV data and how you can contact us with queries.

 

In this privacy policy, gSony group companyh shall mean the parent company of Sony and any legal entities controlled by such parent company (the term gcontrolh in this context means the direct or indirect ownership of at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting interest in such corporation or the power in fact to control the management decisions of such entity).

 

Your choices

 

In addition to your TV service, please confirm how Sony can use TV data by checking the appropriate items and selecting [Proceed]. You can select all additional uses, or just some. If you donft want to select any of the additional uses, then just select [Proceed]. You can withdraw your consent to the additional uses at any time by selecting [Privacy setting] in Help and altering your choices.

 

Sony Smart TV services:

 

This lets you experience the full smart TV experience. We use Sony Smart TV servers to give you a 'DRM' key so you can access content protected by digital rights management (DRM) technology. To give you a 'DRM' key, we collect and use:

 

·           TV device ID, status and setting information (such as model name, software version, language, region/country).

 

Program recommendations:

 

We offer search suggestions, recommended programs and thumbnails of content, based on what content you and others watch. To do this we collect and use:

 

·           TV device ID, status and setting information (such as model name, software version, language, region/country);

·           Viewing history data (such as search keywords, information about programs that are watched through this TV, such as genre, title, program reference number and how the viewer searched for and selected the program); and

·           Other TV use data (such as the number of times that you use the program recording function on your TV).

 

Product improvements:

 

We develop and improve our TVs, applications and device settings by analyzing customer use patterns. To do this we collect and use:

 

·           TV device identifiers, product information (such as model name, model year, region/country), status and setting information (such as software version, language, and settings for pictures, sound and system);

·           TV usage data (such as remote button presses, audio/visual format, the number of times that you use the program recording function on your TV (e.g. when you connect a recording device via a USB cable), assigned channel settings, power on/off details, and which Wi-Fi channel is connected to your TV and the strength of Wi-Fi signal that your TV receives);

·           Usage data for pre-installed or featured apps (such as frequency of use and which app-settings are used);

·           Usage data regarding products which are connected to the TV (such as type, number, model name of connected devices, connection method (e.g. USB, HDMI, Bluetooth) and Device IDs of Sonyfs audio products (e.g. Sound Bar, Headphones));

·           Error information; and

·           IP address and approximate location inferred from IP address.

 

If you use Sonyfs audio products, we use the Device ID of such products to link to the information that we collect about your TV to analyze customer use patterns for improvement and development of Sonyfs TV and audio products.

 

We also improve voice operation features used within TV functions (e.g. Quick Settings and TV menu) by analyzing customer use patterns related to TV functions which use voice recognition features. To do this we collect and use:

 

·           TV device ID, status and setting information (such as model name, software version, language, region/country); and

·           Usage data for TV functions which use voice recognition features (such as search keywords, text converted from voice commands for operating TV, type of operating commands, information about channels, programs, inputs, applications, and settings for pictures, sound and system that are selected by using a voice command).

 

Advertising and Marketing:

 

We may share information about your TV with our local operating Sony group company which may use that information to provide you with information, offers, recommendations, notices and targeted and/or personalized advertisements on your BRAVIA TV or online regarding products, services and other offerings from Sony or our third party business partners that may be of interest to you. To do this, we may collect and share:

 

·           TV device ID, status and setting information (such as model name, software version, language, region/country and settings for pictures, sound and system);

·           TV usage data (such as remote button presses, audio/visual format, the number of times that you use the program recording function on your TV or when you connect a recording device via a USB cable, assigned channel settings, power on/off details, and which Wi-Fi channel is connected to your TV and the strength of Wi-Fi signal that your TV receives);

·           Usage data for pre-installed or featured apps (such as frequency of use and which app-settings are used);

·           Usage data regarding products which are connected to the TV, such as type, number, model name of connected devices and connection method (e.g. USB, HDMI and Bluetooth);

·           Android Advertising ID (gAAIDh) (You can change or disable the AAID for your TV at any time in your settings); and

·           IP address and approximate location inferred from IP address.

 

This data may be used and combined with other data that we or our local Sony group company has collected from you across other Sony products and services that you may use.

 

For more information on the privacy policies and practices, the advertising and marketing activities, and your choices with respect to your local operating Sony group company, please refer to their respective privacy policies.

For users in the US, go to:

https://products.sel.sony.com/SEL/legal/privacy.html and California Privacy Notice http://products.sel.sony.com/SEL/legal/privacy.html#DataPractices

For users in Canada, go to:

(EN) http://corporate.sony.ca/view/privacy.htm

(FR) http://fr.corporate.sony.ca/view/politiquedeconfidentialite.htm

 

Some of the information we collect, and the purposes for which we use data, may vary depending on the services available in your location.

 

We also process information about your TV where this is necessary for Sony to deliver TV related services to you that you request, for information security purposes and to help content owners prevent copyright infringement.

 

How Sony shares TV information

 

Sony shares information about your use of this TV where this is necessary to provide a feature or service you wish to use. We may also share information about your TV with Sony group companies for other purposes set out in this privacy policy.

 

·           If you would like to learn more about content, cast, or creative contributors, your TV device ID, a Gracenote ID and the request for more information will be sent to Gracenote to provide you with these details.

 

If you contact your local operating Sony group company in relation to queries about your TV, we may need to share TV data (including TV device ID, model name, software version and software update history) with that Sony entity to assist with your request.

 

Personal data may be shared with government authorities, law enforcement officials and content owners if required for the purposes above, if mandated by law or if required for us to protect our legitimate interests, or the interests of content owners, in compliance with applicable law.

 

If our business is sold or integrated with another business, TV data may be disclosed to our advisers and any prospective purchaserfs advisers and may be passed to the new owners of the business.

 

For Users in California:

 

California Privacy Notice (Effective January 1, 2022):

If you reside in California, we are required to provide additional information to you about how we collect, use and disclose your information, and you may have additional rights with regard to how we use your information. We have included this California-specific information below.

 

CA Personal Information. Consistent with this Privacy Policy, we may collect the following categories of information about California residents ("CA Personal Information") for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, specifically:

·           Identifiers: such as IP address, AAID and TV device ID;

·           Commercial Information: such as product types or applications purchased or obtained, or demographic information;

·           Internet or Other Electronic Network Activity: such as TV data and connected device information, operating system, screen views, traffic to and from applications, other standard connectivity information; and

·           Usage Information/data: such as text converted from voice commands for TV functions that use voice recognition features, user interface settings, and viewing history data.

·           Location: Approximate location inferred from IP address.

 

CA Personal Information Sold or Disclosed For Business Purposes.

·           Sharing your CA Personal Information for Business Purposes: In the twelve months preceding the date of this privacy policy, we may have shared the following categories of CA Personal Information for business purposes: Identifiers, Commercial Information, Internet or Other Electronic Activity and Usage Information. This information may be shared for the purpose of providing services to you, for legal compliance or to protect legitimate interests, in compliance with law.

·           Sale of CA Personal Information: In the twelve months preceding the date of this privacy policy, we have not gsoldh (as defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act (gCCPAh)) CA Personal Information.

 

California Consumer Rights. Subject to certain exceptions, as a California resident, you may have the following rights with respect to your CA Personal Information: (i) Request to Know. Request information about the CA Personal Information that we have collected, used, or disclosed within the preceding twelve months; and (ii) Request to Delete. Request deletion of your CA Personal Information; provided that we are permitted under applicable law to retain some of your CA Personal Information and certain CA Personal Information is strictly necessary in order for us to fulfill the purposes described in this privacy policy.

 

Exercising Your Rights. If you are a California resident and wish to exercise any of these rights, please: (a) contact us by sending an email to privacy@am.sony.com with the specific nature of your request, referencing gYour California Privacy Rightsh; or (b) call the following toll-free number 1-833-681-9900. When submitting your request, you must include your first and last name, email address, and zip code or mailing address. We are not responsible for requests that are not labeled or sent properly, or do not have complete information. You may be asked to provide additional proof of identification so that we can verify your identity and validate the request. Please note that you are limited by law in the number of requests you may submit per year.

 

We will not discriminate against you by offering you different pricing or products, or by providing you with a different level or quality of products, or in connection with promotions and other offerings based solely upon you exercising your rights to your CA Personal Information.

 

Authorized Agents: To the extent that you elect to designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, they must provide appropriate documentation including written signed permission from you, proof of your identity, and verification of their identity; or a valid, designated power of attorney as required under the California Probate Code. If we do not receive adequate verification of identity and proof that the agent is authorized to act on your behalf, we may deny the request.

 

Additional Notice to California Residents:

If you are a California resident, under the California gShine the Lighth law, you have the right to receive: a) information identifying any third party company(ies) to which Sony may have disclosed, within the past year, personal information pertaining to you and your family for that company's direct marketing purposes; and b) a description of the categories of personal information disclosed. To obtain such information, please email your request to Privacy@am.sony.com and include your name, email address, and a reference to gYour California Privacy Rightsh. We are not responsible for requests that are not labeled or sent properly, or do not have complete information.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This TV includes apps and services provided by other companies in the Sony group companies and non-Sony companies. Please refer to the privacy policies for these Sony group company and non-Sony apps and services which explain how they use personal data and what privacy controls they provide (if any). Some broadcast services also have interactive applications (based on standards such as NEXTGEN TV or ATSC 3.0). If you enable these services, you will share TV data with these broadcasters subject to their respective privacy policies. You can configure Interactive TV services via the settings menu in [Interactive application] under Settings. These services are not available in all countries. This TV may show advertisements served by Google independently from Sony. Please refer to Googlefs privacy policy (https://policies.google.com/privacy) which explains how Google uses personal data and what privacy controls Google provides for serving the advertisements.

 

For TV models with a built-in microphone:

 

Your TV has voice recognition features and may be connected to the Internet. Voice recognition enables you to search for content and information you want with your voice. If you enable the voice recognition function, the built-in microphone will constantly listen to (but not save the temporary, brief recordings of) its surroundings to detect the hotword (gOK Googleh). An on-screen notice or an LED light will indicate when the microphone believes it has detected the hotword and the voice command is being recorded and collected by Google. For more information please see Googlefs website (https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols), which also explains where and how recordings collected by Google can be deleted.

 

How to enable voice recognition feature:

You can enable voice recognition feature by either method below.

·           Turn on the Built-in MIC switch (for the models with a Built-in MIC switch)

·           Enable the hotword (gOK Googleh) detection under Settings (for models without a Built-in MIC switch, please refer to Googlefs website for any additional or different requirements.)

 

You are also able to use voice recognition function by pushing the microphone button on the remote control.

 

Any other application or service that wishes to make use of your microphone will do so under the terms of the privacy policy for that app or service. As described above, Sony may use text converted from your voice commands for voice operation product improvements, but Sony does not collect or make any use of any actual audio recordings made by your microphone.

 

Sonyfs Cloud Service for Home Entertainment & Sound Products Account:

In order to use certain functions and services such as TV Control with Smart Speakers Application, you will need to create a Sonyfs Cloud Service for Home Entertainment & Sound Products Account which has a separate privacy policy. Please go into Sonyfs website (https://www.sony.net/cloud-service-for-hes/privacy/) to access the privacy policy.

 

Where does Sony transfer TV information?

 

Sony Corporation is a company incorporated in Japan and its servers may be located in various countries around the world (including Japan and the United States). These countries may not have the same level of legal protection for TV data as the laws in your country.

 

What rights do you have, and how can you exercise them?

 

You can go to [Help] > [Privacy setting], at any time, to withdraw consent you have given to our uploading your data. This may limit your ability to use certain services.

 

How long does Sony keep TV data?

 

Sony either deletes TV data or de-identifies the data it holds after approximately 6 months, except as required or permitted by law. For the data shared to Sony group companies for Advertising and Marketing purposes, please see the privacy policy for your local Sony group company above.

 

How can you get in contact with Sony if you have questions?

 

If you have any concerns about how we process your data, you can find our contact details below or on the website of your local Sony company:

US and Territories:

Write to us at Sony Electronics Inc., Attn: Privacy Officer, 115 W. Century Road, Paramus, NJ, email us at  

privacy@am.sony.com; or call us toll-free at 1-833-681-9900

Canada:

Write to us at Sony of Canada Ltd., Attn: Privacy Officer, Law Department, 2235 Shepard Avenue East, Suite 700 Toronto, ON M2J 5B5 or call toll-free (within Canada): 1-888-494-7669

Other than the US:

http://www.sony-latin.com/locale-selector