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Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

news.samsung.com

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Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#201

Post by jareklupinski »

wait_a_minute wrote: post #36

I bought one of Samsung's smart televisions a couple years ago. I think I paid $1500 for it. Anyway, it started showing me ads and the TV eventually became sluggish less than a month after owning it. Returned it as defective. Ever since that experience, I swore of all smart televisions and will never buy another Samsung television or smartphone again if I can help it.

did anyone in this thread really expect quality when buying a product from a company run by a convicted embezzler?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Jae-yong_(businessman)#201...

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#202

Post by cabraca »

nate_meurer wrote: post #173

I'd love to hear folks' recommendations for non-smart TV's. I haven't paid attention to this topic in a while and I haven't kept up with the technology.

If i just need a "dumb" TV go for prosumer or commercial solutions. Imaging the TVs you see in big corps or shops. NEC E-Series is good if you're on a budget.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#203

Post by im3w1l »

zimbatm wrote: post #69
anonuser123456 wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh the tyranny of having to pay…

You might have paid the TV second hand, and not be aware of the theft. What recourse do you have then? You're out of pocket, the seller might not be reachable anymore, and you have no proof of purchase.

Burning the buyer means they will be more careful who they buy from next time. This could be both good (reduces market for stolen goods), and bad (inhibits legitimate 2nd hand sales). In the long term I would expect some technology for proving provenance pops up but it might be a little painful until that happens.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#204

Post by YinLuck- »

akira2501 wrote: post #196
josephcsible wrote: post #3

This technology was used for good this time, but there's nothing stopping it from being used for evil next time. The fact that Samsung is even capable of doing this means you don't have control over your Samsung TV even if you do own it legally.

What good was served here? The products are still stolen and are still going on the books as a loss. Since they can't be used, they're likely going in a dumpster. And none of this apparently led the arrest of any perpetrators. Hard to imagine what purpose was served here, other than Samsung broadcasting what kind of power they have over devices you own.

It makes the theft of TVs less likely in the future. All those looters paid an opportunity cost by stealing those large TVs rather than other items. Next time they loot, they won't go for the TVs.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#205

Post by foepys »

kossTKR wrote: post #191
skyboy101 wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I'm not mistaken, smart TVs can still communicate by via inaudible sound signals directly to other devices. Spooky.

Really? That's dystopian, but in a cool way. A little like Amazons own internet sharing network or what it was. It's terrible though. We really live in a panopticon now. Any links?

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/there...

Be careful which apps you allow to use your phone's microphone.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#206

Post by golergka »

akira2501 wrote: post #196
josephcsible wrote: post #3

This technology was used for good this time, but there's nothing stopping it from being used for evil next time. The fact that Samsung is even capable of doing this means you don't have control over your Samsung TV even if you do own it legally.

What good was served here? The products are still stolen and are still going on the books as a loss. Since they can't be used, they're likely going in a dumpster. And none of this apparently led the arrest of any perpetrators. Hard to imagine what purpose was served here, other than Samsung broadcasting what kind of power they have over devices you own.

Game theory. This is not an isolated interaction; actors who might repeat it hear these news and take notes.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#207

Post by r3trohack3r »

kossTKR wrote: post #191
skyboy101 wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I'm not mistaken, smart TVs can still communicate by via inaudible sound signals directly to other devices. Spooky.

Really? That's dystopian, but in a cool way. A little like Amazons own internet sharing network or what it was. It's terrible though. We really live in a panopticon now. Any links?

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/11/beware-of-ads-th...

Not exactly the TV manufacturer doing it, but there have been reports of advertisers using ultrasonic pitches to do cross-device tracking.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#209

Post by pcurve »

akira2501 wrote: post #196
josephcsible wrote: post #3

This technology was used for good this time, but there's nothing stopping it from being used for evil next time. The fact that Samsung is even capable of doing this means you don't have control over your Samsung TV even if you do own it legally.

What good was served here? The products are still stolen and are still going on the books as a loss. Since they can't be used, they're likely going in a dumpster. And none of this apparently led the arrest of any perpetrators. Hard to imagine what purpose was served here, other than Samsung broadcasting what kind of power they have over devices you own.

I think it's more about prevention going forward, and devaluing its worth in secondary market. Sure, it might still be worth something, but only in parts. Given how rapidly TV models change, parts = basically worthless.

Re: Samsung remotely disables TVs looted from South African warehouse

#210

Post by Aspos »

progman32 wrote: post #180
Aspos wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I once moved across the ocean and newly purchased LG TV refused to work because I am now in the wrong region. Off it went to a landfill, this perfect piece of hardware :-(

How did it know?

I guess it picked up my ip address.
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