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

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

#281

Post by p0lychromatic »

wavesplash wrote: post #274
throw93947309 wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Why would you even connect TV to the network? It is well known for like 5 years. Smsrt TVs go through your movies library, and upload screenshots and filenames to internet. Some will start showing ads after firmware upgrade.

Watch the video the article is based on - not connecting to the internet doesn't keep you safe in many cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IFVTcM28KA

This is because they rooted the TV.

They can just start a capture, record to RAM / storage, and retrieve it later when it is reconnected to the network.

Otherwise if it's disconnected, it is still hard to exfiltrate the data somewhere. Maybe they could get creative via Bluetooth, but then you would need a cooperating device in proximity of the device.

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

#283

Post by anonreplier »

shakna wrote: post #253
korzinka wrote: post #107

I've bought an LG Smart TV 5 years ago, read t&c where I was supposed to grant them any data they wanted, decided to disagree and kept all network functions disabled. I was ridiculed by my friends for that. At some point, I thought - maybe I'm really crazy to do so? Who am I, a caveman, a luddite? Oh well, I'm not. Not a bad tv though, many HDMI ports!

A few models/firmware combinations have found to look for public hotspots when you don't agree to give them network.

have they? what ones?

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

#284

Post by Dan_- »

jangxx wrote: post #199
throw93947309 wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Why would you even connect TV to the network? It is well known for like 5 years. Smsrt TVs go through your movies library, and upload screenshots and filenames to internet. Some will start showing ads after firmware upgrade.

I use the built-in AirPlay receiver on my Sony TV quite a bit and that requires network access

LG’s AirPlay requires internet access.

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

#285

Post by antonkochubey »

otikik wrote: post #268
recurseP wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really?

Well that is how Airtags work. Any iphone/ipad/mac nearby will act as a router for them[1] Given that we have already established that LG is a shady company, I wouldn't put it beyond them to try to use the same trick. [1] https://lifehacker.com/tech/how-apple-airtags-actually-work

It's also how Amazon Sidewalk works for many Alexa-enabled devices

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

#286

Post by exe34 »

Anoian wrote: post #149
touwer wrote: post #139

Funny, published on a site with 1745 'partners' who fully respect our privacy of course

Respect for the consumer has long been gone generally except for a few brands. I am still wondering why consumer respecting brands are not emerging more and thriving.

Machiavelli's flexibility: evil has more options to achieve its goals than good, and therefore it always wins. (The invisible hand of the market is a myth - people don't choose things on principles unless they have money to burn).

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

#287

Post by miki123211 »

unixhero wrote: post #131
throw93947309 wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Why would you even connect TV to the network? It is well known for like 5 years. Smsrt TVs go through your movies library, and upload screenshots and filenames to internet. Some will start showing ads after firmware upgrade.

They do screenshot? Do you have a source so I can read more?

It's (mostly) a US thing; basically subsidizing TV prices with ad revenue. It's how the entry-level companies like Vizio operate, though the "big brand" TV makers are certainly just as guilty here. It's much less of a thing in the EU, where data privacy laws are stricter and TVs are hence (comparatively) more expensive.

As far as I know, they don't literally scan your media libraries; they screenshot whatever you're watching through HDMI (most often cable / satellite boxes), as those devices don't provide the telemetry that normal apps do. This info is used for audience measurement (thing Nielsen ratings), as well as showing you ads that are actually likely to match your interests.

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

#288

Post by Dan_- »

rcxdude wrote: post #207
iamtedd wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How much would support increase when manufacturers realise how few of their TVs don't get connected to the network?

Their solution to that is to either use the cell phone network or services like amazon sidewalk where they connect in through your (or a neighbour's) internet-connected device.

I think it’s also possible to piggyback on other devices signed with the same certificate to exfiltrate using BLE. Maybe I’m wrong though.

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

#289

Post by DaSHacka »

imglorp wrote: post #259
Sophira wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nah, you're not crazy. I'm also someone who actually reads terms documents, because I find that they're often the only thing that will be truthful about a company's intentions. And keeping it completely disconnected from the internet should be the default, in my opinion.

There is absolutely no reason to read those contracts any more. As Louis Rossman keeps pointing out, most of them now include the ability for them to change terms at any time. That's basically the null contract. Since the legal system has once again failed to protect users from corporations, it's up to users to use technical means for self defense.

At the very least, you can be sure they'll never change the terms of the agreement to be more beneficial for you, though.

So just treat it as a best case scenario, knowing that it can get even worse.

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

#290

Post by alex_duf »

Angostura wrote: post #276
korzinka wrote: post #107

I've bought an LG Smart TV 5 years ago, read t&c where I was supposed to grant them any data they wanted, decided to disagree and kept all network functions disabled. I was ridiculed by my friends for that. At some point, I thought - maybe I'm really crazy to do so? Who am I, a caveman, a luddite? Oh well, I'm not. Not a bad tv though, many HDMI ports!

Mine is still attached to the network, but I’ve turned off all the ad/customisation &AI stuff. Seems to work fine, no ads etc. though usually I’m using it simply as a screen for the AppleTV. I do have it isolated from other devices on my network, though.

Similar, I was only using it as a screen for my shield so I factory-reset it and never re-connected it to wifi.

It's actually a lot faster now (it's an 8 year old TV, their OS can get a little heavy on older models)

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