LG Smart TVs logging USB filenames and viewing info to LG servers

Discussion in 'privacy problems' started by Baserk, Nov 19, 2013.

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  1. Baserk

    Baserk Registered Member

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    Apparantly LG Smart TVs, try to send collected user-data (on changing channels and file names on usb attached drives) to one of their servers whether you enable the specific data collection feature or disable it.
    All data is of course being send unencrypted.
    LG UK reaction was gold; You've accepted the terms and conditions when you bought the TV so you're SOL. Go whine at the store where you bought it.
     
  2. ZeroDay

    ZeroDay Registered Member

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    Seems every company thinks that the end users rights don't really matter anymore. Thanks for the share.
     
  3. Dave0291

    Dave0291 Registered Member

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    Indeed, companies have arguably spit on consumer rights more than government entities. I will always do my best to avoid these so-called smart devices and suggest others do so as well.
     
  4. Reality

    Reality Registered Member

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    Thx Baserk for the post and confirming what is blatantly obvious of where there is all heading. I absolutely DESPISE smart TVS , smart meters...etc and am 100% suspicious of ANYTHING AT ALL with the word smart in it. Everyone I come across I tell about these insidious things but it mostly falls on deaf ears. People are too besotted with their gadgetry and have fallen for it all...hook line and sinker. Prime candidates to be dominated and controlled.
     
  5. TheCatMan

    TheCatMan Registered Member

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    someone @ LG is enjoying it....

    That is a lot of linux distro filenames to get thru !
     
  6. TheWindBringeth

    TheWindBringeth Registered Member

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    Unfortunately, in today's world it is simply not safe to use any devices with a wired network connection and/or wireless radio unless you very carefully inspect traffic/behavior (on an ongoing basis).
     
  7. ronjor

    ronjor Global Moderator

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  8. lotuseclat79

    lotuseclat79 Registered Member

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  9. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    Re: Your TV is spying on you, and what you can do about it

    "A recent UK observer with a packet sniffer noticed that his LG “smart” TV was sending all his viewing habits back to an LG server. This included filenames from an external USB disk. " ~ op cit

    :eek:
     
  10. lotuseclat79

    lotuseclat79 Registered Member

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    Re: Your TV is spying on you, and what you can do about it

    LG Smart TV spying, owner claims his USB filenames posted on LG servers.

    -- Tom
     
  11. emmjay

    emmjay Registered Member

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    Tnx Baserk for starting this thread. I have an LG Smart TV !!! On reading the article posted by ronjor, I am shocked, disgusted and alarmed. I am sure the response that LG gave to the guy who discovered this violation is incorrect.

    Firstly, the point of sale is a contract between the seller and the purchaser of the product which may or may not include store based guarantees, e.g. a refund if the buyer is not 100% satisfied or if the product is found to be defective, they may replace it. etc, etc. Once money passes hands this is when it becomes a legally binding contract between the seller and the purchaser.

    Secondly, manufacturers have product warranties that are separate from store based guarantees. Usage T+Cs are included under these warranties so as to protect the manufacturer from owner misuse and product abuse. This is a legally binding contract at the time of purchase. Warranties are an agreement between the buyer and the manufacturer and are legally binding as stated. Sole sourcing dealerships may assume that role. The T+Cs concerning internet access, if included in the warranty are protected under that warranty period. The point of sale location is not a contractual participant at this juncture, so LG is in violation of contractual law (per the LG statement given to the individual who wrote about their experience).

    Lastly, internet usage T+Cs may be a separate agreement and not included in the warranty, however it should be clearly stated. It is a legal agreement between the owner and the manufacturer (once again not the point of sale location). It is legally binding at the time the owner/user accepts it. LG is responsible and accountable for this because it is a product feature.

    LG is legally compelled to inform a registered owner that changes to T+Cs are being implemented. The owner has the right to disagree with them, however they would then not be protected under the law if they continued to use the product function. Catch 22.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2013
  12. Daveski17

    Daveski17 Registered Member

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    Re: Your TV is spying on you, and what you can do about it

    This is genuinely worrying. I think it is going to make some people seriously study the terms & conditions of any smart TV's they purchase now. I'm glad I still have a comparatively 'dumb' Toshiba TV.

    "This information appears to be sent back unencrypted and in the clear to LG every time you change channel, even if you have gone to the trouble of changing the setting above to switch collection of viewing information off.


    It was at this point, I made an even more disturbing find within the packet data dumps. I noticed filenames were being posted to LG's servers and that these filenames were ones stored on my external USB hard drive. To demonstrate this, I created a mock avi file and copied it to a USB stick. ~ op cit"

    They aren't playing fair if there is a Hobson's choice in switching on or off the viewing information.

    "My wife was shocked to see our children's names being transmitted in the name of a Christmas video file that we had watched from USB." op cit

    That's just scary.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2013
  13. OuterLimits

    OuterLimits Registered Member

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  14. siljaline

    siljaline Registered Member

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  15. Reality

    Reality Registered Member

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    Ad serving is only a smokescreen as are things like account hacking to rip you off. Compared to total control these are only byplay. This is about profile building for more sinister purposes. We should consider the end game. How many times have we seen the word terrorism mentioned here and how the word is redefined to include almost anyone. This is yet another of many methods to watch and spy on possible dissenters to a totalitarian system that is already in place but not totally out in the open.
     
  16. Baserk

    Baserk Registered Member

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  17. lotuseclat79

    lotuseclat79 Registered Member

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    Privacy settings not enough to stop LG Smart TV from spying on users.

    -- Tom
     
  18. mattdocs12345

    mattdocs12345 Registered Member

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    Can they be sued to the point that they become bankrupt. Because I think this would be the only way to prevent future companies from doing same thing.
     
  19. emmjay

    emmjay Registered Member

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    An individual would not have adequate resources to take on a huge and successful manufacturer in a civil suit. Note: LG has not broken the law, so the justice dept. would not bring suit. LG is allegedly acting unethically and without due care, according to the person who posted their experience. A Class action suit would be the most likely to succeed in this case, however it is highly unlikely that it would bankrupt LG. If the plaintiffs can prove that they were harmed by LG's actions then damages may be awarded, which can be in the millions. Most of this will go to the tort lawyers, so if it has no impact on L'Gs behavior, why bother? The court of public opinion may be far more effective.
     
  20. siljaline

    siljaline Registered Member

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    LG smart TV snooping extends to home networks, (second) blogger says
    http://arstechnica.com/security/201...extends-to-home-networks-second-blogger-says/
     
  21. Securon

    Securon Registered Member

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    Good Afternoon! How is one to know...that it's just L.G. that's involved? Sincerely...Securon
     
  22. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Indeed :thumb: and looks like the way people are being 'sucked-in' with the supposed desirability of having nearly every device and appliance they use, from their freezer to their Electric kettle to their services meters etc. etc. all hooked-up in a wonderful 'Internet of Things' means their every movement and preferences etc. can be monitored and collected.
    And it will be, ad infinitum...whatever is available.

    http://www.theguardian.com/technolo...stigates-lg-snooping-smart-tv-data-collection
     
  23. siljaline

    siljaline Registered Member

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    LG admits its Smart TVs were ignoring privacy settings, promises firmware update to fix it
    http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/21/...t-tvs-ignored-privacy-setting-promises-update
     
  24. Baserk

    Baserk Registered Member

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    The firmware fix promises to not read out your NAS contents anymore but...wait for it....;

    So, what you watch, when you watch, how long you watch, that's not personal/private data folks. It's 'viewing information' according to LG.
    Your entire viewing profile isn't considered personal, it's info that LG will continue to collect and sell.
    (Sites like TheVerge and CNet write about the LG statement but don't offer any links, anyone know where the official reaction can be found?)
     
  25. Dermot7

    Dermot7 Registered Member

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    Graham Cluley has published the statement here, but I can't find any link to it on the LG Support/Announcement areas.
     
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