posted in Technology

LG smart TVs caught logging audio with screen off and snooping on local devices

An investigation by Gamers Nexus found LG smart TVs sweep local networks to map phones and nearby devices. Tests also showed the sets can capture microphone audio with the screen off — they then upload data once reconnected to the internet.

www.notebookcheck.net/LG-smart-TVs-caught-logging-audio-with-screen-off-and-snooping-on-local-devices.1391214.0.html

Replying to @⁨schizoidman@lemmy.zip⁩

There’s a lot of misinformation in the comments here.

  1. LG have been caught using the Internet connection of connected devices (like windows computers) to snoop on your network.
  2. Because of that, it has access to your network even if you remove the wifi module or do not connect the TV directly to your network.
  3. Lobotomizing the TV will not necessarily fix this issue, but I still think it’s a good start. It may be beneficial to switch to a different operating system or just ban the TV from accessing certain parts of the Eco system on your computer.
  4. Removing Bluetooth, wifi, and microphone modules will be beneficial in the long run because this will not be the last time a company tries this and it’s not limited to LG. If you are technically inclined or can follow a YouTube video, go for it.

Replying to @⁨atrielienz@lemmy.world⁩

I think you’re misunderstanding what’s happening. The LG TV isn’t directly using the Windows internet connection. It’s taking advantage of Windows Update to have Windows itself install malware as a driver update for the screen.

Which I think is actually worse, because it shows that Microsoft is complicit in this nonsense.

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