Author

Vanessa Leggard

Browsing
In Consumer Information

Is My Smart TV Spying on Me? When your TV talks back

In Consumer Information 6 Mins Read

Wait… Did It Just Repeat That?

So picture this:
I’m in the bedroom, chatting with my husband about something completely random, probably who’s hogging the blanket or which Netflix show we’ll fall asleep to. Out of nowhere, my television yes, my TV suddenly lights up and repeats what I just said. That freakin thing happened, just like that My Smart TV was Spying on Me? My TV was talking back to me. Real talk, Real People.

Excuse me, what?

I froze. My husband looked at me like I was crazy (he does that often when I talk to my electronics). But there it was the screen flickered, and my so-called “smart” TV was clearly eavesdropping.

Now, I’m no conspiracy theorist. I’m the woman who actually reads the fine print before clicking “Accept All Cookies.” But this? This was next-level creepy. Because even when the TV was off, I noticed that little light in the corner still blinking like it was saying, “Oh, don’t mind me, just recording your secrets for ‘product improvement.’”

Let me tell you, that’s not product improvement that’s nosy neighbor behavior.

And when I finally dug into the settings, guess what I found?
Under Privacy and Terms, the AI Voice Recognition setting was on by default. I didn’t turn it on. It was already listening before I even knew it had ears.

The Not-So-Secret Secret: Your TV Is Listening (maybe watching you as well)

Here’s the truth: most of us didn’t sign up for when we “upgraded”:
Smart TVs come with microphones, voice assistants, and features called Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). That’s a fancy term for, “We’re watching what you watch… and probably hearing more than you realize.”

In plain English:
Your TV could be collecting data on:

  • What shows you watch (and how long)
  • What you say near it (“Alexa, don’t snitch!”)
  • Even what devices you connect – laptop, gaming console, cable box – it sees it all

And all of that juicy info gets shared with advertisers, data brokers, and whoever else your TV manufacturer partners with. Why? So they can sell you preferences, your buying habits, your viewing habits, and show you “personalized ads,” and make your living room another marketing lab.

Free TV? Think Again

CTV or Connected TV  (you know, the new FREE cable) might seem like a dream come true. You get hundreds of “free” channels, endless streaming options, and personalized recommendations that magically appear just when you’re about to say, “There’s nothing on.”

But here’s the catch: nothing is really free!

Those “free” channels are often funded by your data, your viewing habits, your voice commands, even what’s playing in the background while you’re talking. Smart TVs quietly collect that information and send it to advertisers, data brokers, and analytics partners who use it to target ads across platforms.

In other words:

When I discovered my AI Voice Recognition was turned on by default under “Privacy & Terms,” I realized I hadn’t agreed to anything. I just wanted to watch a show, not star in one.

You’re not just watching TV your TV is watching you !

That’s the tradeoff: CTV may be “free,” but the price tag is your personal data.

So the next time an ad for the exact product you were just talking about shows up on your screen, don’t be surprised. Your TV probably heard you.

Is Your TV Listening When It’s Off?

Here’s where it gets wild.
Even when you hit the “off” button, your TV might not actually be off it’s just in standby mode.

That means it can still:

  • Listen for wake words like “Hi LG” or “Hey Alexa”
  • Download updates and new ads
  • Sync data about your viewing habits

So while your room is dark, your TV might still be awake, quietly listening for your next command.

If you have AI Voice Recognition or Hands-Free Voice Control enabled, that microphone can stay active while the TV is “off.”

In LG TVs, a setting called Quick Start+ keeps the system half-awake for instant power-up. Sounds convenient, right? It’s also the reason your TV might still be connected to Wi-Fi and monitoring background sounds.

To truly shut it down:

  1. Turn off Voice Recognition → Settings → All Settings → General → AI Service → Voice Recognition → Off
  2. Disable Quick Start+ → Settings → General → Additional Settings → Quick Start+ → Off
  3. Unplug the TV when you’re done watching — no power, no ears.
  4. Disconnect Wi-Fi if you don’t need smart features running.

Because the only thing worse than a TV that won’t stop listening… is one that listens while pretending to sleep.

When Did My TV Become the FBI?

We used to joke about “Big Brother watching.” Now it’s more like “Big Samsung,” “Big LG,” or “Big Roku” taking notes while we argue over takeout.

And don’t even get me started on those privacy policies that say things like:
“We may collect audio samples for quality assurance.”
Translation: We heard you telling your teenager to take out the trash.

The worst part? These settings are often on by default. You have to dig, and I mean deep-sea-diving deep through layers of menus just to find where to turn them off. It’s like playing hide-and-seek with your own privacy.

So What Can You Do (Besides Yell at Your TV)?

Here’s what I’ve learned, the hard way:

  1. Turn off “voice recognition” and “ACR.” (Yes, it’s buried, bring snacks, it’ll take a minute.)
  2. Disconnect Wi-Fi when not streaming. A disconnected smart TV is just… a TV.
  3. Use an external streaming stick (like Roku or Fire Stick) easier to control privacy.
  4. Cover the camera and mute the mic if your TV has them. (A little tape never hurt anyone.)
  5. Set up a “guest” Wi-Fi network so your TV can’t snoop on your other devices.
  6. Update your firmware. Sometimes updates fix privacy leaks (sometimes they create new ones, which is another blog).

Real Talk: Technology Is Amazing, But So Is Privacy

We live in an age where our fridge orders milk, our watch tracks our sleep, and our TV listens to our pillow talk. I love innovation, but I also love boundaries.
If you wouldn’t invite a stranger to sit in your bedroom and take notes, don’t let your TV do it either.

So the next time you’re watching a movie and whisper something to your partner and your TV “responds” don’t panic. Just smile, grab the remote, and say:

“Nice try, Smart TV. But in this house, we do the talking.” Real Talk, Real People.

Read More
By
In In the Know

Power, Purpose and Brooklyn Energy

In In the Know 2 Mins Read

Brooklyn was alive last night! The New York Women’s Foundation knows how to create a moment of delicious food, a beautiful venue, and dancers who had the whole room in motion. You could feel the energy from the door a mix of power, grace, and that signature New York confidence.

This wasn’t just another event. It was a vibe. The 31st Annual Neighborhood Dinner at Industry City was intimate, inspiring, and filled with women whose energy matched my own, bold, grounded, unstoppable.

I loved catching up with my good friend Kathleen Tait, one of the Foundation’s newest board members. She’s stepping into her role with strength and heart, the kind of woman who reminds you why it’s important to show up.

The honorees: Linda Goode Bryant, Lorena Kourousias, Luisa Navarro, Stacey Cumberbatch, and Brennan Gang were nothing short of extraordinary. Real women making real impact, right here in our city.

The food? Incredible. The entertainment? A whole mood. The company? Soul-nourishing.

Earlier this year, I attended a breakfast for The Foundation, but this one hit different it felt personal. Like being part of something bigger, something real. A trip absolutely worth my time.

If you don’t already know about The New York Women’s Foundation, it’s one of the most powerful forces for change in this city. They’ve awarded over $133 million to more than 500 grassroots organizations that empower women, girls, and gender-expansive people building equity, opportunity, and leadership from the ground up. They don’t just talk about impact they fund it, they nurture it, and they celebrate it.

OCTOBER 9: Brennan Gang, Stacey Cumberbatch, Ana Oliveira, Lorena Kourousias, Linda Goode Bryant and Luisa Navarro attend NYWF Neighborhood Dinner Brooklyn on October 9, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/PMC/PMC) *** Local Caption *** Brennan Gang;Stacey Cumberbatch;Ana Oliveira;Lorena Kourousias;Linda Goode Bryant;Luisa Navarro
All Rights Reserved


If you’re inspired (and I know you are), get involved:
👉 Visit www.nywf.org
👉 Follow them on IG @nywomensfdn
👉 Learn more about their grantees and upcoming events at nywf.org/nd2025-reflections

Because when women come together with purpose and passion… the whole room shifts.

Real talk, I left Brooklyn inspired, full, and reminded that courage really is contagious.

Photos by Kurt Leggard, click here to see the full gallery.

All Rights Reserved
Read More
By
In Wellness

Young Women Get Breast Cancer Too

In Wellness 4 Mins Read

Real Talk: Young Women Get Breast Cancer Too

Real talk, Breast cancer in young women; breast cancer doesn’t care how old you are, how fit you are, or how “healthy” your lifestyle seems. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while most people picture older women when they hear the words “breast cancer,” the truth is, young women can and do get breast cancer and it’s happening more often than you think.

According to the CDC, more than 250,000 women under the age of 40 in the U.S. are living with breast cancer right now. That’s a quarter of a million young women, daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends living with a disease many thought wouldn’t touch them until much later in life. “Breast cancer in young women“

It’s Happening More Often and It’s More Aggressive

Here’s something that might surprise you and honestly, it should. Research shows that cases of advanced or metastatic breast cancer among women ages 25 to 39 have sharply increased since the late 1970s, nearly doubling in incidence from 1.53 to 2.90 per 100,000 between 1976 and 2009, according to a landmark JAMA study. These are young women just starting careers, building families, and living their lives suddenly faced with a diagnosis that changes everything.

And the story doesn’t stop there. New research continues to show an alarming upward trend. A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open found that breast cancer in young women ages 20 to 49 are still rising, with an average 0.79% yearly increase in invasive breast cancer cases from 2000 to 2019. Both early-stage (stage I) and late-stage (stage IV) diagnoses are going up meaning more young women are being diagnosed, and some are facing aggressive disease right out of the gate.

The CDC reports that in 2022, more than 27,000 women under 45 were diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S., and cases among younger women are climbing at about 0.7% per year. Researchers also note that these cancers are often more aggressive, particularly among non-Hispanic white and African American women, and that estrogen receptor–positive cancers which require specific, long-term treatments are becoming more common in this age group.

So the big question is, should we be talking about screening before 40?
Honestly, yes. Because early detection can change everything and for some women, it can mean the difference between treatment and survival.

Let’s Talk About Mammograms

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms starting at age 40 for women at average risk. But breast cancer doesn’t always follow the rules, and your body doesn’t read medical guidelines.

If something feels off if you notice changes, pain, or something that just doesn’t seem right speak up. Ask your doctor about getting checked sooner. Some clinics will perform ultrasounds or mammograms on younger women if there’s a reason for concern or if you have dense breast tissue.

If you want more information on early detection, visit the American Cancer Society for screening guidelines and what to expect.

Know Your Family History (or Go Find It)

Family history matters but a lot of people don’t know theirs. Maybe your family didn’t talk about health, or you’ve lost touch with older relatives. That doesn’t mean you can’t find out.

You can research your family medical background using websites like GenealogyBank.com or FamilySearch.org to see if breast cancer appears in your family line. Sometimes death certificates or archives can tell you things your relatives couldn’t. Knowing your history could literally save your life.

Listen to Your Body

Your body will always tell you when something’s wrong, you just have to listen.
Even if you have no family history, be aware of signs like:

  • A lump or thickening in your breast
  • Changes in shape or size
  • Unexplained pain
  • Skin dimpling or nipple discharge

If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked. You know your body better than anyone else. Need a quick guide? Visit BreastCancer.org to learn what to look for and when to call your doctor.

The Bottom Line

Young women are not immune to breast cancer. Awareness, self-advocacy, and early action save lives.
If you’re nearing 40, book that mammogram.
If you’re younger but something feels off, don’t second-guess yourself.
And if you don’t know your family history, go find it.

Because the best time to care for your health isn’t when something’s wrong, it’s right now.

Real Talk, Real People.

Read More
By
In Eats

Healthy Foods essential to your well being

In Eats 3 Mins Read

Hamptons Wellness: 3 Foods That Keep You Feeling Good Inside and Out

Let’s talk about food that actually does your body good. Not the trendy stuff on Instagram, but the real deal that fuels your energy, your mood, and your long-term wellness.
These three healthy foods aren’t complicated. They’re simple staples that pack a serious punch for your immune system, heart, skin, and gut.

1. Salmon: The Heart Helper and Mood Booster

If there’s one food you should put on your plate twice a week, it’s salmon.
It’s nature’s multivitamin in fish form, loaded with iron, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6, and B12. But the real magic is in its omega-3 fatty acids, those good fats that protect your heart and brain, ease inflammation, and even help with mood.

It’s also rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant that keeps your thyroid healthy and supports your immune system. Think of selenium as your body’s “anti-rust” mineral. It helps prevent damage from free radicals and keeps things running smoothly.

That grilled salmon with lemon and dill? More than delicious. It’s self-care on a plate.

For more on the benefits of salmon, click here.

2. Yogurt: Gut Love in a Cup

Let’s get real. Gut health is everything. When your gut’s happy, you’re happy.
That’s where yogurt comes in. It’s packed with protein, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, plus the all-important probiotics – the friendly bacteria that keep your digestive system balanced.

Go for Greek, organic, or plain yogurt whenever possible. Skip the sugary, flavored versions that turn breakfast into dessert.

A daily serving of yogurt can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and may even support mental health. The gut-brain connection is real, and taking care of your digestive system helps your entire body work better.

Learn more about the benefits of yogurt here.

3. Oranges: Your Everyday Immunity Shield

There’s a reason oranges have been a go-to for generations. They’re not just about vitamin C, though that’s a big one.
Oranges are packed with antioxidants, fiber, potassium, and flavonoids that help your body fight inflammation, lower cholesterol, and keep your heart strong.

They’ve also been linked to lowering the risk of certain cancers, including breast, lung, and colon cancer, while helping your skin glow and your blood pressure stay steady.

The flavonoid hesperidin found in oranges helps regulate blood pressure, while beta-carotene supports eye health and slows signs of aging.

That morning orange is doing more than waking you up. It’s protecting you from the inside out.

For more on the power of oranges, click here.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to reinvent your diet or chase the latest wellness craze.
Start with simple, real foods like salmon, yogurt, and oranges that quietly do their job to keep you healthy, glowing, and energized.

Wellness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.
Eat good. Feel good. Live well,  Hamptons style.

Read More
By
In EDITORIAL

When Washington Stops Talking, America Suffers

In EDITORIAL 5 Mins Read

Real Talk, Real People.

When Washington stops talking to each other, the rest of America feels it.
A government shutdown isn’t just a headline it’s a ripple that hits your neighborhood, your flight, your mail, and even your neighbor’s paycheck.

You might think politics doesn’t affect you, but here’s the truth: it touches everything from how fast your mail arrives to whether your child’s teacher gets paid on time. Let’s break it down.

The Good News: Some Lights Stay On

Not everything comes to a halt.

  • Social Security checks still go out seniors relying on those deposits can breathe a small sigh of relief.
  • The U.S. Postal Service keeps delivering. Rain, snow, or political storm, your mail still shows up because USPS funds itself.
  • Medicare and Medicaid continue, though applications and updates move slower.
  • Essential workers  the military, border patrol, and emergency responders — still show up for duty, even if the paycheck doesn’t.

So, yes — the world keeps spinning. But here’s where it starts to wobble.

The Not-So-Good News: Turbulence Ahead

Picture this: you’re at the airport, coffee in hand, ready to travel and the TSA line snakes halfway around the terminal. Why? Because TSA agents are working without pay.

They keep showing up at first because they care about their jobs and your safety. But when rent is due, bills pile up, and gas prices climb, something’s got to give. Morale drops. Attendance dips. Stress rises.

The same goes for air traffic controllers  the men and women guiding thousands of planes through the sky while wondering when, or if, they’ll see their next paycheck. It’s more than financial pressure; it’s emotional exhaustion, and it’s dangerous.

At smaller airports, the shortage is even more visible. Staffing gaps can mean temporary closures and when the people who keep us safe are stretched thin, everyone feels it.

Politics in Your Wallet

It’s easy to say “politics doesn’t affect me,” until your flight’s delayed, your mortgage paperwork stalls, or your friend at the post office is suddenly working for free.

When lawmakers can’t agree, hundreds of thousands of federal workers go without pay. That means fewer groceries bought, fewer lunches ordered, and local economies start to tighten. The ripple effect doesn’t stop at D.C. it lands right in your backyard.

Even globally, shutdowns shake confidence. Other nations start asking: How stable is America if it can’t fund itself?

Who’s Helping the Workers Holding America Together?

There are lifelines small ones:

And here’s the kicker: the “essential” workers who still show up aren’t eligible for those benefits because they’re technically not unemployed.

And this time, even back pay isn’t guaranteed. Imagine showing up every day, doing your job with integrity, and not knowing if you’ll ever be paid for it.

The Bigger Picture: Politics Isn’t Just in D.C.

Every government shutdown, every delayed bill, every closed office has a real-world impact. Politics isn’t confined to the Capitol it’s in your mailbox, your grocery store, your paycheck, and your child’s classroom.

And closer to home, in places like Southampton and across the East End, we’re facing our own housing crisis. Families who serve this community teachers, hospital workers, sanitation crews can’t afford to live here anymore.

Even as the town works to build affordable housing, it’s not nearly enough. Fourteen new homes might sound like progress, but when hundreds are waiting, it’s barely a dent. The result? People commute from miles away just to serve the very communities they’re priced out of.

It’s the same story everywhere a disconnect between policy and people.

Final Thought: Who Cares About the People Holding America Together?

While Congress argues and collects their paychecks, real people the ones holding this country together are falling apart.

They’re not faceless bureaucrats. They’re the TSA agent keeping your line moving, the air traffic controller keeping your plane safe, the postal worker delivering your prescriptions, the park ranger, the food inspector, the security officer, the family breadwinner.

They’re your neighbors, your friends, and sometimes your family.

Right now, many can’t afford to feed their children, pay rent, or put gas in their cars to get to work. Some have been laid off. Others are being bullied for problems they didn’t cause.

Without them, America doesn’t slow down it stops.
And still, there’s no urgency in Washington.

This isn’t about red or blue.
It’s about human decency.
It’s about the people who keep this country running being treated with the respect they deserve.

So I’ll ask again who’s standing up for the workers who stand up for all of us? Because until that answer changes, the system isn’t broken it’s just heartless.

Real Talk. Real People. Because this affects us all.

Read More
By
Load More