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.
The logging was shown using shell commands running on a rooted OS. I don’t doubt the companies can or are doing this, but it’s akin to showing that installing malware exfiltrates your crypto wallet info.
Anything with a CPU, WiFi module, and microphones is capable of this.
But the video showed him connecting a pc to the TV to do the hacking. So it means a physical connection is required to run the shell command. Soo It means I can’t get hacked right ?
Which is why we need to be wary of products that have those things in them. Which this article highlights.
Instead we’re being asked to just accept that these “features” are going to be hard baked into literally everything we own whether we like it or not.
Right. When the fuck did a TV start needing a microphone?
I’m old enough that I remember our first remote control TV. The remote was on a cable. It’s incredible and wonderful to me how far and how fast tech has come - but some stuff is just going too far. You don’t need to talk to your TV. Same with smart fridges - WTF? I dunno, maybe I’m just showing my age. But this unnecessary complexity adds insecurity and more stuff to go wrong.
Luigi
Back in the 90’s we had designated computer desks, where the big ass CRT and big ass desktop PC lived. Most people would use a surge protector power strip with a master power switch, and they would use that one switch to turn on and off the CRT monitor, PC, printer, desk lamp, etc…
That seems like a great idea right about how.
I still do that and never did it any differently. Mainly to conserve energy, since my parental household was poor and we actually could not afford to leave appliances running when not in use. This became a habit and now I’ve been incidentally preventing data harvesting for years. I do need to get an old 90s alarm clock though, since I cannot always turn off my phone at night when I have plans in the morning. Also GrapheneOS.
I’m currently only with a CRT TV and running GrapheneOS, sadly I’m stuck with windows 11 so I’m still tracked there.
The alarm clock is a good idea too.
A modern TV will be fine if you get one that allows set up without Wi-Fi then disable the eco mode and motion smoothing.
You can even plug in a GrapheneOS phone with a USB-C to HDMI cable.
Cellphones do this same thing though.
We can’t solve all our problems in one fell swoop. We can at least solve some of them.
Not all of them. Some have hardware kill switches and don’t run iOS or Android.
Life’s gulag.
I guess it’s time to start unplugging everything at the wall when not in use
is it same with very old lg? (20 years i think)
Waiting for the “No idea how this happened! We’re sorry and promise to make this better in future versions” moment - instead of admitting that this is just their business model.
Hoping for prosecution from the EU and at least one other country.
from the EU and at least one other country.
EU is not a country.
Current Commission is pushing for chatcontrol so they’d probably applaud LG’s practices.
The EU is not a country, yet it does stuff that otherwise countries do, like legislating and judicating privacy laws. The correct term would have been “other political entity” but what is the point of that word picking again?
Like any political entity the EU can do many things at once, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Different institutions also have different interests. The Commission isn’t the primary driver behind chat control, a number of member states are. At the same time EU courts tend to be staunchly opposed to mass surveillance and in the European Parliament it depends on the party.
Current Commission is pushing for chatcontrol so they’d probably applaud LG’s practices.
Just because they want to spy on you doesn’t mean they are okay with other organizations spying on you.
I’ll let the EU prove me wrong.
LOL
I knew someone would point that out.
“other” in this case is shorthand for “not in EU”.
I’m hoping not only prosecution, but an actual outcome such that they (and other companies) are afraid to try this again.
If all they get is a small fine that’s just a business expense to them, then of course they’ll continue doing sh** like this.
accountablity? none. consequences? none (maybe a slap on the wrist at most)
How to fix your tv:
- open the tv
- remove the wifi chip and antennas
- remove the microphone
- cover the motherboard in fabric, then aluminium foil
- close the tv
- done
Why fabric and aluminium foil? Pretty sure removing microphones/cameras/bt modules is enough :p
Also, the foil wont do too much if you dont ground it!The fabric is to prevent it from accidentally shorting components. The foil is for a faraday cage.
Unfortunately that will probably also void any warranty. Better to restrict access at the network level.
It shouldn’t be necessary or expected to perform surgical interventions on devices to make them respect privacy.
“The toaster is listening” in 2006 🤣
“The toaster is listening” in 2026 😬
SO SAY WE ALL!
Frakking toasters.
It’s 1984 for sure. Every devices listens.
Glad I unplugged the ethernet cable from my LG TV
Me too with my TV. But reading more detailed comments here, it’s more complicated and nuanced than just “if it has a direct Internet connection it will get up to shenanigans”. Sounds like this device is using HDMI to manipulate Windows (install drivers etc) and piggyback off the Windows machine’s Internet connection. But I’m assuming if it’s not plugged into a Windows PC directly it might not be a problem.
Bring on the TV firmware. Jailbreak your consoles. Use Linux or steal windows and use tools to completely rip its spyware out of it (e.g. https://revi.cc/).
Custom firmware anywhere and everywhere a device that someone supports with custom firmware is a feature worth researching.
The fucks are only going to jeep doing it. Protect yourself. Push for GDPR like laws in the US. California’s privacy laws are headed in the right direction.
username checks out
I’m shocked, i tell you, shocked!
Both of my lg TVs are rooted. Anyway to just disable this through that? Dont see anything in the homebrew channel
Could you please share what resources you used? I connected my TV to the internet before all of this came out, and I’d like to completely wipe it and start fresh
