There are many ways to turn off a smart TV, from the power button and remote control to apps and voice control. But according to Samsung, you can turn off any Samsung Smart TV in the world and disable it permanently--or until Samsung decides to reactivate it.

This is a little-known security feature called TV Block, and Samsung publicly commented on the feature earlier this month after using it to disable a number of TVs looted from Samsung facilities, shedding light on an obscure security tool.

A recent tweet from Samsung South Africa was the first time many were made aware of the feature. All #SamsungTVs come with a safeguard against theft ... Recent incidents and illegal product sales have prompted the launch of #TVBlock, a remote solution to ensure that Samsung TVs are used by their rightful owners.

In a related press release, Samsung stated that "TVBlock is a remote, security solution that detects if a Samsung TV unit has been improperly activated and ensures that the TV set can only be used by the rightful owner with a valid purchase certificate It was clarified that "it is.

The tweet and press release came after a number of Samsung TVs were stolen from Samsung's Cato Ridge distribution center in South Africa during the recent period of rioting and unrest last month; using TV Block, Samsung remotely disabled all stolen units. Because the TVs were stolen from a Samsung warehouse, the information was readily available and Samsung's TV Block feature was known.

According to a support alert from Samsung detailing this feature, every time a stolen Samsung TV connects to the Internet, the TV block is activated, disabling all TV functions. Considering that Samsung has offered a similar kill switch on Samsung smartphones for several years, this is a reasonable precaution for an electronics manufacturer.

This remote disabling feature is designed to discourage a sort of secondary market for stolen Samsung TVs. Large-scale looting has occurred in several parts of the world in recent years, and desirable electronics have always been the target of motivated thieves because of their high resale value.

While it may be more difficult to steal a television than a PS5 stolen from a moving truck, a PS5 stolen by a dishonest deliveryman, or an unattended package left on a balcony, enterprising thieves have a similar interest in smart TVs, with popular models being used and Even when sold as like-new products, they fetch hundreds to thousands of dollars.

One criminal group was recently arrested after years of theft and fraud in 13 states in which they purchased and resold new TVs at Wal-Mart stores, then returned the boxed salvaged TVs for a full refund. Also in Memphis earlier this year, numerous thieves managed to steal dozens of TVs from trains and break into multiple boxcars, proving that train robbery is still alive and well.

It is not at all clear whether this security tool is intended to disable individual stolen TVs or only a large quantity of products as in this looting. Presumably, if individual customers know the serial code of their Samsung Smart TV (and it should apply to any Samsung Smart TV in the world), they can report it as stolen, contact Samsung, and ask Samsung to disable that set can do so.

South Africans who own a Samsung TV may find that their TV has been accidentally disabled as part of this mass blocking, but Samsung says that any legitimate customer with proof of purchase of the TV can unblock it The company says. Customers who are accidentally affected are advised to contact their local Samsung distributor at [email protected] and re-enable their set within 48 hours of contact.