Let's forget about the security implications of something like this. We for the most part know that if it can be a listening device, it will be. Applies to all technology in this area, whether the information is secure is up to the company.

Let's instead look at who exactly should be afraid: the users of voice activation with their television.

Should we as a community be afraid? I'm not.

I will never spend my money on a television with over-sensationalized, fad technology. The market is pushing speech recognition before it's truly a pragmatic solution for everyday problems. Have there been strides made in the technology? Absolutely. It's developed into a wonderful tool, but it's still not at the point where I can justify speech when I could have pressed a button. I don't think any of this really makes my life easier at this point, especially as the article says, and I quote:

Samsung has issued a statement to clarify how voice activation works. It emphasised that the voice recognition feature is activated using the TV's remote control.

Essentially, I would need to pick up the remote... to use something intended to serve as a replacement for the remote.

In short, I'm not afraid of my television being used for covert surveillance, mostly because I don't see it at a stage where it's practical for either party. It could give some data, or even intelligence to a listening ear, but for the most part I don't consider this a risk in the first place.