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

Post by zapzupnz » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:30 AM UTC

lrvick wrote: post #791

freediddy wrote: post #766

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Post by callc » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:33 AM UTC

bayindirh wrote: post #690

Obscurity4340 wrote: post #603

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you actually even turn and keep the microphone off or does it toggle itself back on like Apple's Wifi and Bluetooth one-touch toggle off for now buttons?

> Apple's Wifi and Bluetooth one-touch toggle off for now buttons? This comparison rubs me off the wrong way every time I see, because. 1. The notifications clearly tell the behavior (doing $THING until tomorrow). 2. There's a way to turn them "really off". What LG does is completely different. IIRC from the teaser of this video, the microphone is never "completely" off or apps can re-enable them somehow.

Post by lrvick » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:33 AM UTC

zapzupnz wrote: post #800

lrvick wrote: post #788

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But surely you know the TV will have ads, and spyware and screenshots you every few seconds to send to manufactures, and in some cases even has microphones involved? The apps built into the screen literally meet the definition of trojans which any casual search on most brands would tell you. All avoidable by plugging in an $20 dedicated source device for streaming or whatever. Is saving the $20 really worth it?

> But surely you know No? It's hardly written in the advertising copy for the TV, is it. This is a technical website with technical users. You are failing to put yourself in the shoes of non-technical, ordinary users who just want to watch Netflix. > All avoidable If you know that you should avoid it but people don't.

Post by drnick1 » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:35 AM UTC

mancerayder wrote: post #735

drnick1 wrote: post #471

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes you think the Apple TV isn't also spying on you? It almost certainly is collecting telemetry too. Whether that's more or less than LG I don't know, but my preference is a Linux box with Plasma Bigscreen.

What do you use when you switch between Netflix, AppleTV, etc? Some of those platforms won't even show you HD unless it's through HDCP compliant hardware and OS, which Linux isn't. That happened with the World Cup.

Post by 1659447091 » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:36 AM UTC

soared wrote: post #767

lrvick wrote: post #762

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.