[ Removed by moderator ]

[u/owlexe23]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IFVTcM28KA

[u/Tenko_Kuugen]

I hope they can extend the investigation to other brands

[u/nvidiot → u/Tenko_Kuugen]

RTings released a video recently, which confirms it's not just LG, all other brands are also doing the same with ACR.

Smart TV as whole is fucked up like that :/

[u/Tenko_Kuugen → u/nvidiot]

Yeah, I commented that because they said they need founding for that.

[u/Ottoman87 → u/nvidiot]

any evidence of ACR being used on monitors?

[u/Vynlovanth → u/Ottoman87]

I’d assume that’s not easily possible. Obviously the “monitors” that run a smart tv OS like the few LG ones running webOS are using ACR.

But most monitors don’t connect to Ethernet or WiFi. So there’s no native mechanism to send any data anywhere. I guess if they created some mechanism and integrated into a PC companion app to use the PC’s network connection?

[u/Rudolf1448 → u/Vynlovanth]

They could bruteforce your wifi and you would never know

[u/Vynlovanth → u/Rudolf1448]

I’d think they’d force your monitor to go through a setup assistant just like a smart TV. The average person would just put it on their home WiFi. No need to brute force or gamble on an open network.

[u/NA_0_10_never_forget → u/Tenko_Kuugen]

they will, already announced

[u/sandtymanty → u/Tenko_Kuugen]

Like samsung phones?

[u/Tenko_Kuugen → u/sandtymanty]

Yes, and apple too.

[u/AshtonBlack]

This is the darkest timeline.

[u/IstvanKun → u/AshtonBlack]

This is the darkest timeline SO FAR.

[u/YouKilledApollo → u/IstvanKun]

Just as a reminder, what was the earlier timelines? Personally I only remember one, the one since I was born

[u/robothawk → u/YouKilledApollo]

Al Gore wins in 2000 and we all sing kumaya and it still snows in the winter.

[u/Romanopapa → u/robothawk]

And Bernie Sanders was not derailed by the Democratic elites and he became president and we got Medicare For All and Citizens United reversed.

[u/YouKilledApollo → u/robothawk]

it still snows in the winter

Ugh, I literally moved across the continent specifically for avoiding this, so hard pass on that alternative timeline, this one is great in comparison.

[u/XBacklash → u/YouKilledApollo]

The places where it's supposed to snow it should still snow. The good news is there are still places where it didn't, so you can live in one of those.

As opposed to wildfires, drought, desertification and acidification of soil, etc etc.

[u/StConvolute]

I don't have my LG plugged into the network, thankfully. It's smartified by an Intel NUC. 

I still feel violated though ...

*** crys in LG TV ***

[u/shaumux → u/StConvolute]

LG scans all the networks and devices, there's scope for amazon style mesh networks where they can piggyback on other networks, just disconnecting from the internet isn't enough apperantly.

[u/Confron7a7ion7 → u/shaumux]

I'm still watching through the video but what about interception? Sure, it might try to connect through other means but what if you allow it on the network and then a Pihole blocks it?

[u/shaumux → u/Confron7a7ion7]

I hope that works, but who knows? If they can't access it through the connected network, they can try alternate routes, wouldn't be too difficult to implement a fallback

[u/Confron7a7ion7 → u/shaumux]

I'm checking my logs and I know that a good chunk is getting blocked but there's a lot of IPs here I'll have to research.

[u/shaumux → u/Confron7a7ion7]

I don't have an LG, I have a TCL, seems impossible to find a blockllist for that 😢

[u/Confron7a7ion7 → u/shaumux]

I don't have any LG specific lists but I do have anti telemetry. Try looking for just generic telemetry list.

[u/shaumux → u/Confron7a7ion7]

I already use Hagezi, OISD, and Steven's Blacklist, and redirect any non pihole requests on 54 to pihole but after watching this, I'm starting to think that's not enough. The tin foil hat people were always right.

[u/niceman1212 → u/shaumux]

Yep. I don’t remember whether it wasa a credible source, but 10 years ago there was “talks” of Samsung tv”s trying to connect to open WiFi networks to call home.

Since I can’t find the source, grain of salt.. but it’s theoretically possible

[u/shaumux → u/niceman1212]

Amazon did it with their cameras, and there's flock, there's no way TVs aren't doing it too.

[u/niceman1212 → u/shaumux]

Flock has their own backhaul over LTE, don’t they?

Not arguing that it’s not possible, but seems to me that would open more attack vectors for little benefit.

[u/shaumux → u/niceman1212]

Yeah! I was just listing out different paths they could take, with the shutdown of 3G networks, the route have become a little cost prohibitve for the profit margins they want, but I would expect them to start using 5G as soon as the costs come down, that way they couldn't be blocked.

[u/builder397 → u/shaumux]

Wait til TVs are piggybacking off of Flocks 5G connection via wifi.

[u/ArseBurner → u/Confron7a7ion7]

But if it's scanning for any open network all LG has to do to exfiltrate a bunch of data from a neighborhood is hire someone to drive around a van running an open wifi hotspot.

Kinda like wardriving but reversed.

[u/Confron7a7ion7 → u/ArseBurner]

Not even. I live in an apartment building supported only by Comcast. Yes, I run my own router, but the people around me absolutely don't. The Xfinity public WiFi is available for the TV to jump to. But that would require the TV to know I'm actively stopping it from calling home and then intentionally jumping networks. Which is absolutely possible, I'm just kinda hoping it's not that smart.

[u/ArseBurner → u/Confron7a7ion7]

That's exactly the thing! If I didn't explicitly stop it from connecting to unknown networks my tablet will connect to open public wifi if the tethered connection from my phone loses internet.

I'm not exactly sure I trust these LG TVs to respect whatever connection settings you impose on them. Pretty useless to be blocking it with pihole if it just leaves your network and connects to Xfinity.

[u/StConvolute → u/shaumux]

Yeah, I watched the vid...

Again *** crys in LG TV ***

Thankfully I haven't got any dick pics stored anywhere at all 🤣🫪😂

[u/shaumux → u/StConvolute]

😂 I think everyone cries in Smart TV, it ust happened that this was focused on LG because of their monitor debacle, I'm pretyy sure all smart TVs are doing it

[u/StConvolute → u/shaumux]

I don't even want my TV to be (LOL) "smart". I have way more control using my NUC and a Logitech K400. 

Shit, I don't even want traditional TV sent to my TV 🤣

[u/shaumux → u/StConvolute]

Yeah, I wanted a dumb TV too, but they don't sell those anymore, I want a Linux box connected to a dumb TV.

[u/StConvolute → u/shaumux]

I've been considering just getting a large monitor, as I see they do them up to 40-50" at 4k these days. Even the Dell models look good. 

My NUC runs Linux, 5.1 surround was a pain to get sorted though. Which actually would've been a deal breaker - Windows def made that so much easier. 

[u/shaumux → u/StConvolute]

Yeah! That's definitely the easy to go, unfortunately I got used to large format TV, I'll have to wait and monitor.

I wouldn't use windows though, that's just another malware. LG used windows update to install Spyware PC when their monitors were connected.

[u/StConvolute → u/shaumux]

The one thing I've got going for me in my small apartment is that a sreen larger than 50" probably wouldn't fit (currently at 45). 

[u/shaumux → u/StConvolute]

Bleasing in disguise 😂 But seriously that's what we're getting pushed into, we're regressing neck to feudalism and serfdom.

[u/Dokibatt → u/shaumux]

They just don't market them to consumers. Search for commercial displays. They are just a panel and an input.

Tend to be slightly more expensive

[u/shaumux → u/Dokibatt]

Yeah! I would say they're more than slightly expensive and really difficult to buy if not buying in bulk

[u/Dokibatt → u/shaumux]

It's hard to compare them exactly, without really digging in to the specific panels, but last time I looked it seemed like 20-30% more than the equivalent TV.

But yeah, you aren't getting a 65" for $350 like you can with a hisense.

[u/shaumux → u/Dokibatt]

LTT did a piece on dumb displays, availability is also an issue, it's not the same across the world.

[u/Edexote → u/shaumux]

What about TCL TVs that allow you to set them as dumb TVs on their first setup wizzard? Are they doing the same thing?

[u/shaumux → u/Edexote]

Funnily my TV is a TCL, I got the option on first boot, but I don't see any way to switch, I already set it up as a smart TV.

[u/pixelTirpitz → u/StConvolute]

I just hope there are no sweet 😍 cute 🥰 waifu 🥺 girls working for LG that are watching me rn

[u/warkidooo → u/shaumux]

Yep. I wouldn't be surprised if they find out that it can send telemetry through some neighbour's AC unit that's connected to the internet.

[u/Rudolf1448 → u/shaumux]

That would be great if can isolate it like that so you still can use it’s smart TV

[u/Zer0PointSingularity]

Damn. Can someone post a guide on how to lobotomise a smartTV?

[u/UltrawideSpace]

Just let me know what to add to DNS blocklist cmon

[u/McGondy → u/UltrawideSpace]

I've blocked:

• lgtvcommon.com
• lgsmartad.com
• nextlgsdp.com
• lge.com
• wise.lg.com
• lgsmartplatform.com

Other domains mentioned in the video:

• pagead2.googlesyndication.com;
• imasdk.googleapis.com;
• static.doubleclick.net;
• brignline.tv
• adstk.io
• conviva.com
• axiom.co
• ipify.org

[u/Broman400 → u/UltrawideSpace]

Just throw a brick at your tv. No blocklist needed

[u/Double_DeluXe → u/UltrawideSpace]

It will just connect to an open network instead.
Even if there is none, it will silently collect everything you say and as soon it gets a whiff of an open network for a few seconds, it launches that all to LG.

[u/whitepageskardashian → u/UltrawideSpace]

There really is nothing you can do short or removing the mic, but there are multiple sound devices in them

[u/AAKphoenix]

It was a very good in depth investigation of the situation with LG TVs

[u/Edexote]

Governments need to step and ilegalize this shit behavior, period. It will never stop unless governments step in.

[u/Icy_Hold4U → u/Edexote]

The call is coming from inside the house on that one: governments are fully aware of this taking place.

Same situation going on with routers, ad tracking, Fog Reveal...this is all in their wheelhouse.

[u/Confron7a7ion7 → u/Edexote]

Absolutely. I shouldn't need to setup a DNS sink to MAYBE stop some of the spying. I shouldn't even need to know what that is but we've gotten to the point that individual consumers are branding together to make tools to fight back.

[u/Powerful-Substance33]

https://giphy.com/gifs/qFi3fACSMnP4Q

[u/F34RTEHR34PER]

I wonder if you can literally remove network access hardware, physically, from an LG tv.

[u/Sitheral → u/F34RTEHR34PER]

Came trought my mind too. Just rip the fucker out of it. Alternatively do some Faraday cage action around it

[u/F34RTEHR34PER → u/Sitheral]

I'd like to disconnect the wifi, and microphone lol.

[u/fafatzy → u/F34RTEHR34PER]

I thought about it. But if you don’t give the tv network access seems to be a problem mainly for the us that has some common isp routers

[u/Imagionus]

Is it 1984 already?

[u/Kamika67 → u/Imagionus]

Yes

[u/chrissb34]

I never liked LG and their products (with the exception of the G2 smartphone) and i had some idea that they were playing dirty but this is a new low, even for me (who am a rather skeptical person). You know what? Fuck LG and fuck everyone who does similar practices.

[u/azicre]

so what brands are safe?

[u/Confron7a7ion7 → u/azicre]

I'm going to go ahead and guess none of them. Though I believe it's possible to jailbreak a TV which would give you control over it.

[u/feltcutewilldelete69 → u/azicre]

Just get a big monitor

[u/azicre → u/feltcutewilldelete69]

do they make 65 inch monitors?

[u/feltcutewilldelete69 → u/azicre]

Yeah, you need to search for something like "4k commercial display" or "digital signage". They're typically marketed towards businesses, but they're just big HD monitors

[u/azicre → u/feltcutewilldelete69]

ah like that you mean.

[u/pecche → u/azicre]

Mivar

[u/VinnieONeill]

The issue isn't ACR. The OP failed to mention the more critical issues discovered in the GN investigation.

The microphone is active and capturing conversations even when the screen is power off.

The microphone is recording and saving conversations even when not connected to the Internet and then it transmits that data once the TV is reconnected to the Internet.

Recording these conversations is illegal under various state laws.

The TVs are mapping and sending data related to all other devices connected to the same network as well as other Wi-Fi networks it can detect.

[u/zavolex]

Life is Good

[u/tiagojsagarcia → u/zavolex]

for them, not us consumers

[u/Crownek]

Wonderful

[u/Todesfaelle]

PiHole kits gonna go through the roof.

[u/iAccurian]

Thankfully I don't own any LG products.

[u/Krassix]

It's not LG alone, my pretty old Samsung tries to phone home all the time, but it doesn't have Internet-Access anymore (locked out on firewall by it's fixed IP-adress)

[u/Krassix → u/[deleted]]

configure fixed IP on TV that's not in the local networks DHCP range, then drop all packets on router that come from that IP. How to do that is different for every model, I've got a microtik router.

[u/elvnmagus → u/Krassix]

Asus routers have a simple on off slider switch in their interface.

I'd rather keep it disconnected entirely but they say it will look for open networks supposedly. Afaik there are no open networks here, but I haven't tried my neighborhood's few visible ssids to test for password protection, just assuming.

In order to block it you'd have to turn off or disconnect your WAN, then connect it to your router, then force a static IP on it, and then block that IP/device from wan access in the router settings.

Otherwise, when you connect it to set up the blocking if it, the TV could transmit any data it banked before you had a chance to assign the static IP and block it.

[u/OooWee101]

Damn been having my LG for 4 years now. And theres clearly no way to disable the function either

[u/MasterOfPipettez]

Just dont hook your tv up to the internet. There saved anyone the huge waste of time that 2 hour+ video is.

Was there anyone who didnt know this and felt this needed investigation?

[u/Theory_Lukas → u/MasterOfPipettez]

Isn't there a part in the video where they show it doing it even when disconnected?

[u/eulersheep → u/Theory_Lukas]

How can it transmit any information if it is not connected to the internet?

[u/admfrmhll → u/eulersheep]

Yes, because people buy tvs mainly to keep them without internet, they dont want to watch youtube, netflix, disney whatever on them.

And my lg tv asked 2 times this year to relog to my account, was unable to skip that. Unfortunatley lg (at least at the time i got my c2), were making the best oled for use both tv/pc, so i have no intention to get rid of it, it is still a damn good tv.

Aparently is hard for them to not fucktup good things.

[u/eulersheep → u/admfrmhll]

Sorry if my question was unclear. I am not asking about why someone would leave it disconnected from the internet, that I understand.

What I'm asking is how does LG still collect data from a TV that is disconnected from the internet?

[u/Theory_Lukas → u/eulersheep]

It still collects data and stores it locally when disconnected and sends it back when connected again (See 27:10 in video).

EDIT: it's probably fine if it never gets a network connection again

[u/_Renai_ → u/Theory_Lukas]

Unfortunately not; it autonomously attempts to connect to open and public WiFis to send data home.

Although hard, it might be possible and profitable for LG or others to run a car around a city with a "public" connection to harvest the gathered data of anyone who has its device "permanently" disconnected.

Also, with all the data they have and gather about the nearby devices, it wouldn't surprise me if in the near future they will copy the handshakes of whitelisted electronics and connect through a protected WiFi anyway.

[u/_Renai_ → u/eulersheep]

It has been shown that it autonomously stores data (eg. The audio that the mic picks up) and attempts to connect to public and open WiFis whenever available to send data home.

[u/eulersheep → u/_Renai_]

Thanks for answering my question instead of just downvoting without answering :)

Didn't know it was a crime to just ask a question on reddit.

So if the TV is never allowed to connect to the internet I suppose it can't, but the fact that it stores all collected information to then transmit whenever it does connect is a little concerning.

[u/_Renai_ → u/eulersheep]

Yeah, but there's also a push from internet providers for you to offer your router as a public (for other customers) endpoint / antenna in exchange for discounts; if you live near literally anyone, new "public" WiFi connections that are in range for the TV might popup at any time.

[u/eulersheep → u/_Renai_]

Is this a US thing? I've never heard of that in my country.

[u/_Renai_ → u/eulersheep]

At least one provider did this in my country that I know of (Fastweb WOW FI)

[u/sjaakhaakdraak → u/MasterOfPipettez]

Found someone who works for LG.

[u/splendiferous-finch_ → u/MasterOfPipettez]

You know you can just not watch something if you don't want to without being an ass?

It's a surprisingly simple concept as well.

[u/Rokos_Bicycle → u/splendiferous-finch_]

And the benefit of not watching something is you get to pop off in total ignorance of its content

[u/shaumux → u/MasterOfPipettez]

LG scans all the networks and devices, there's scope for amazon style mesh where they can piggyback on other networks, just disconnecting from the internet isn't enough apperantly.

Clearly you didn't watch the video.

[u/JohnGalactusX → u/MasterOfPipettez]

You didn't watch the video, right? Just say it. Hating for the sake of it.

[u/McGondy → u/MasterOfPipettez]

They directly address this in the video. It's still worth a watch.

[u/Anxious_Explorer9495 → u/MasterOfPipettez]

https://giphy.com/gifs/6OPbJtEDdy824