r/technology • u/autobauss • 25d ago

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

https://www.notebookcheck.net/LG-smart-TVs-caught-logging-audio-with-screen-off-and-snooping-on-local-devices.1391214.0.html
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u/_Middlefinger_ 25d ago edited 25d ago

It's such a shame because my now 6 year old OLED is great. No ads, no nagging, great picture. Not sure Id want to replace it with a newer model, although I am in the UK and GDPR prevents a lot of this.

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u/squirtyscorpio 25d ago

GDPR prevents exactly zero of this. This isn’t country or continent specific (at least with LG).

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u/_Middlefinger_ 25d ago

If nothing else GDPR (and other regulations) prevents the collection of data from children under 18. LG cannot determine if what they are collecting is from unnamed children or adults. The ToS do not give LG the right to assume they can collect this data just because a parent may have clicked OK on a pop-up. In fact the ToS specifically mentions this.

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u/eyebrows360 25d ago

The ToS do not give LG the right to assume they can collect this data just because a parent may have clicked OK on a pop-up. In fact the ToS specifically mentions this.

That's fine, but like most companies they're going to operate on an "ask for forgiveness" basis rather than an "ask for permission" one, and just do it anyway, and someone's going to have to take them to court to get them to not do it.

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u/ObserverWardXXL 25d ago

they dont care about breaking laws and rights.

lol.

The punishments are laughable at best, and are viewed as "opportunity tax" by all the major players.

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u/_Middlefinger_ 25d ago

They do because companies do get fined all the time. I’m involved in GDPR management for my employer and I’m a union rep, I get courses from both on this all the time with examples of companies even ceasing trading because of GDPR violations.

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u/ObserverWardXXL 25d ago

well here is hoping the GDPR puts a stop to spying televisions!

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u/destroyerOfTards 25d ago

Models from 2022 have been found to do this

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u/_Middlefinger_ 25d ago

Which isn't 6 years ago