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

Post by mrheosuper » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:37 AM UTC

sgerenser wrote: post #458

lxgr wrote: post #323

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They could also use something like Amazon Sidewalk or ATSC 3.0's dedicated return channel.

They could (although I’m not sure of the 80Kbps that Amazon sidewalk allows is really sufficient for the purpose of uploading ACR data), but is there any evidence that any TV manufacturer actually is? The reality is, why would they bother? 95% percent of people that buy a “Smart TV” hook it right up to their WiFi as soon as they take it out of the box.

Post by bbor » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:38 AM UTC

hi_hi wrote: post #737

I guess this is unavoidable on today’s internet, but…reading a story that decries the (admittedly really bad) data gathering techniques of an advertiser, from a site that itself is plastered with adverts…I don’t know the right word here, but it feels a bit shit. Although I’m glad this is getting the visibility it deserves. I hope this hurts LG where it matters and sends a signal to other manufacturers, but I doubt it…

Post by idiotsecant » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:40 AM UTC

bbor wrote: post #813

hi_hi wrote: post #737

I guess this is unavoidable on today’s internet, but…reading a story that decries the (admittedly really bad) data gathering techniques of an advertiser, from a site that itself is plastered with adverts…I don’t know the right word here, but it feels a bit shit. Although I’m glad this is getting the visibility it deserves. I hope this hurts LG where it matters and sends a signal to other manufacturers, but I doubt it…

\#BanAdvertising, my friends. It sounds absurd until you think about it for a minute. If billboards and vice ads and this sort of monitoring should be banned, shouldn't it all?

Post by idiotsecant » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:42 AM UTC

digi59404 wrote: post #807

gruez wrote: post #782

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>and it will connect to any open WiFi I've seen this claim made over and over again for various smart TVs, but so far I haven't seen any concrete evidence of this, only random speculation.

I have a Samsung fridge. It’s not a smart fridge, it doesn’t have a screen, bluetooth, or any way to connect to it. I logged into my UniFi stack to monitor devices and it showed up. It had gotten the connection details from my wife’s phone, the other Samsung device and was transmitting data back to Google and Samsung.

Post by fwip » Tue, Sep 08, 2026, 2:42 AM UTC

lrvick wrote: post #789

soared wrote: post #768

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

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?