216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

mitxela

Extremely concerning!

oceansky

The title undersells it. The TV has multiple mics that can't be disabled, they constantly record everything and upload transcripts in plain text. It gathers data and metadata of all devices on the network, including IP addresses. And even analyzes network data to understand which applications are being run.

bspammer

Obviously they'll get away with this in the US, but doesn't this break a LOT of EU privacy laws?

BLKNSLVR

This seems to be the worst case scenario, put into practice by a highly popular device manufacturer. Are they doing this with all of their other devices as well? Monitors, washing machines, fridges? If they can fit this into a TV, they can fit it into everything else. There's also a fair bit of arrogance from LG: "We own the glass..." leading to this great piece of marketing: "within an LG TV household we can help extend the ad campaign footprint to the other devices in the household" (at ~14:11) Advertising is a mind virus. These people are fucking gross. And this seems to be what all technology companies are turning into. Advertising is the Paperclip Maximiser of the real world. I recently divided much of my home network into VLANs (with "Entertainment" devices separated for this very reason), and this makes me happy to have done so, but now makes me want to do the same to my in-laws network, since they have an LG TV and I regularly connect various of my devices through their network... Tangential point: I recall on a previous article someone commenting on their surprise at how good Gamers Nexus investigative reporting was. This seems to be another example. You go Gamers Nexus. Might have to buy a supporter pack.

ChrisArchitect

Related: LG TVs aren't the only ones spying on you [video] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49575176

mitxela

It's good that at least one tech company still listens to its customers! Ba-dum-tss.

klipklop

Only a matter of time before they ship with cell modems so you can’t disconnect them from the internet. My LG tv post-update is never allowed on a network and it will never be updated again. Hopefully it never breaks…

avodonosov

Telescreens. Can anyone recommend a non-spying TV brand or a model? (Modern)

hi_hi

“We’re listening?…” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8duCxY-gnZ0&t=5s