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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]

#791
post #769
post #764

It is a screen. You plug an HDMI cable into your source device and another into the TV. Job done. Are there really that many people technical enough to know what an HDMI cable is without also knowing all TVs are subsidized by spyware with no security protections? Why would anyone connect a screen to the internet in the first place? Like, if suddenly computer monitors started asking for wifi credentials would everyone…

TVs have streaming services, those need internet to function. What else does anyone (average consumer) use their TV for? I don’t want a separate device to plug in and remote just to stream things.

Isn't that what a streaming stick is for? Who needs those complex TV remotes anyway. I've been running on Roku remotes for years and haven't missed anything. Even TiVo remotes are too complex.

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

#793
post #764

It is a screen. You plug an HDMI cable into your source device and another into the TV. Job done. Are there really that many people technical enough to know what an HDMI cable is without also knowing all TVs are subsidized by spyware with no security protections? Why would anyone connect a screen to the internet in the first place? Like, if suddenly computer monitors started asking for wifi credentials would everyone…

All TVs offer extra functionality like connecting to Netflix, Disney+, HBO etc. It obviates the need for an extra device like Roku or Apple TV.

So most consumers are willing to knowingly give up privacy, security, and freedom just to save 20 bucks on a hdmi streaming device?

I have no words for how depressing that is.

Then again most consumers use Bytedance, Meta, Google, and Apple products so I guess I should not be too surprised.

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

#794

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Whether or not you iPhone is also doing that is irrelevant. Two surveillance pathways is still inherently worse than one.

Idk, I have a strong feeling Apple is not doing ACR or covert recording themselves, and the OS provides some strong guarantees that you know when the mic is active.

> OS provides some strong guarantees

How do you audit that ? it's not like they opensource their OS.

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

#795

Disconnecting it from the internet isn't enough, because it will store spying data forever until it gets a connection, and it will connect to any open WiFi. You have to disconnect it from the power, and then use a sledgehammer on the remains.

If that happened would any of that data get tied back to you? If you haven't created any accounts or signed into anything.

The TV looks for nearby Bluetooth and WiFi devices to identify when you're at home and who's at home. It also runs voice recognition to record your conversations as text, and uploads them. It also uploads the ID of what you're watching and when, though not the actual pixels, as far as anyone knows.

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

#796

Here are LG's contract terms for appliances.[1] They are awful. Not only can they listen in. You have a contractual requirement to tell everyone in range of an appliance that they may be eavesdropped upon. CONSENT REQUIREMENT: You acknowledge and agree that it is your sole responsibility to obtain all necessary consents from any third parties whose voices may be captured by the Product and to notify household members…

I wonder how much money LG makes from all of these practices, and if they stopped doing it what impact to cost of a TV would be?

It’s in the video, the subsidiary makes tens of millions in profit from a couple of hundred million in revenue.

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

#797

As an owner of 2 LG OLEDs, I am not surprised at all. I neutered these things the first day I was past the return policy. Opened the back and unplugged the WiFi/BT chip, bought a cheap dumb universal remote with no mic in it, disagreed to all T&C in the TV, updated the firmware via USB and just use an AppleTV over HDMI for streaming. Kind of silly to have to go through all of this but hey thats where we are in 2026 i…

In the future they could make it refuse to boot without all the "required" hardware, like BT/wifi module.

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

#798

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd rather open it up and remove/destroy just the network card. (I don't have to do so though because my tv is 20 years old.)

What if the network isn't on a separate card?

Then if you are lucky, the telescreen is in an unusual position. By sitting in the alcove, and keeping well back, you might be able to remain outside the range of the telescreen.

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

#799
Goddamnit, I have an LG TV. The panel panel itself is beautiful, but the software is complete shit and I only use an apple TV on it.

The snakes in charge of this should be thrown in jail. They talk about "owning the glass and the living room" and you can just tell they've sold out their soul long ago.

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

#800
post #426

Modems becoming super cheap is gonna be a big problem for this, because those make it even harder to prevent such snooping. Just imagine having to jam the devices in your own home just to stop them from profiling you. Better pray to your deer god that modem + data contract is gonna stay more expensive that the expected value from selling more data... We really need regulation to stop this.

Disconnect the u.fl to the antenna and it’ll be hard for it to transmit data unless you live next door to a cell tower.

It could include SMD antenna or PCB antenna.
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