If LG was recording private conversations in millions of homes without meaningful consent, they should get buried in fines and lawsuits. That’s not “data collection,” that’s surveillance.
This kind of hyperbole isn't really helpful to the larger discussion at hand here.
Data collection can absolutely be anonymous and tightly scoped to relevant information on product performance, which can be incredibly useful in product development and result in a better experience for everyone involved. Obviously this requires restraint from the manufacturers, which therefore typically will require some degree of legislation to keep them in check.
The issue here is that going beyond this sensible scope has become so normalised that companies have not considered it a gross overstep to record everything, as LG are in this case.
Jumping to the extreme view of "any data collection shouldn't be allowed" serves only to undermine the discussion on what appropriate regulation of mass data collection looks like.
> Disconnect the Ethernet cable and it doesn’t necessarily stop — the TV reportedly buffers recordings locally and uploads them the moment connectivity returns. Offline isn’t full protection. It’s a delay.
Gadget review's Nikshep Myle, copy-edit your crappy AI-genned text.
I think if you want what we classically think of as a television you have two choices.
Gaming monitor, which is limited in size generally.
Commercial/signage displays which are the same Sony or LG TVs but with software for showing slides or videos and that’s all. Also they’re more expensive and you have to buy them through a commercial AV company not a consumer appliance place.
I don't believe this articles assessment of the findings. A LOT of this reads like big standard tech that is being game-of-telephoned through an alarmist layperson.
Could probably just give it a static IP in a range outside your usual subnet and no gateway. It would be like it's talking in an empty room with no doors.
Do that, yes. But one of the story points for this is that the tv’s collect data while offline, hoarding it for when/if they reconnect. So if you ever sell the TV and the following buyer connects…
Guess what? every electronic device is probably spying on you. Smartphones, TVs, laptops, Alexa, etc
When are people going to stop thinking governments and corporations are altruistic and realize they are all cutthroat and don't care about you at all?
You are being spied on, you have been spied on. Everything you do is data that's being harvested and used to create profiles on you that help with targeted ads, algorithms, and whatever else they can distract and/or brainwash you with.
"Capitalism has made TVs so cheap! $150 for a 50 in flatscreen! My parents paid the equivalent of $700 for a 20 in CRT back in the day. Times sure are getting better!"
One thing I hate about our LG TV: it defeats use of a Guest Wi-Fi network, by refusing to remember the network setting across power-cycles. I'm sure it's deliberate.
I just assume at this point that literally any tech I own is recording me if it has a mic, tracking all my data, and selling everything to whoever wants to pay for it.
stein63 | 19 hours ago
If LG was recording private conversations in millions of homes without meaningful consent, they should get buried in fines and lawsuits. That’s not “data collection,” that’s surveillance.
gh057 | 12 hours ago
data collection = surveillance
there's no practical difference
Iamonreddit | an hour ago
This kind of hyperbole isn't really helpful to the larger discussion at hand here.
Data collection can absolutely be anonymous and tightly scoped to relevant information on product performance, which can be incredibly useful in product development and result in a better experience for everyone involved. Obviously this requires restraint from the manufacturers, which therefore typically will require some degree of legislation to keep them in check.
The issue here is that going beyond this sensible scope has become so normalised that companies have not considered it a gross overstep to record everything, as LG are in this case.
Jumping to the extreme view of "any data collection shouldn't be allowed" serves only to undermine the discussion on what appropriate regulation of mass data collection looks like.
IvoShandor | 22 hours ago
The TVs are getting cheaper as they're making money on selling your data.
-Clayburn | 20 hours ago
Is it even possible to buy just a TV anymore?
IvoShandor | 20 hours ago
You can buy a display or a non-smart TV and use an external streaming device, or plug cable box into it.
ColinPlays | 15 hours ago
Who sells non-smart TVs?
wiseoracle | 14 hours ago
Nobody. Unless you're counting computer monitors.
Iamonreddit | an hour ago
Why wouldn't you be counting computer monitors if you're already happy to set up a media box to watch things through?
Elrox | 9 hours ago
Just don't plug it into the net, use as a monitor.
RaithMoracus | 21 hours ago
Gamers Nexus has a full 2+ hours going over their findings for this. I recommend pretty much anyone interested to watch, listen or skim that instead.
https://youtu.be/6IFVTcM28KA?is=De7LRlUZoj0OtetA
ukhaus | 15 hours ago
this should be at the top
presidentsday | 9 hours ago
Yeah, has this been reposted anywhere? Absolutely deserves everyone's attention. And I'd bet a nickle they ain't the only ones pulling this shit.
urielrocks5676 | 7 hours ago
They actually go into that, and say their not the only ones
CountofAccount | 22 hours ago
> Disconnect the Ethernet cable and it doesn’t necessarily stop — the TV reportedly buffers recordings locally and uploads them the moment connectivity returns. Offline isn’t full protection. It’s a delay.
Gadget review's Nikshep Myle, copy-edit your crappy AI-genned text.
The article by Unilad is less painful.
allholy1 | 19 hours ago
If you google it, there’s a couple articles saying that if you don’t connect it to your home network, it will connect to the free att or Xfinity wifi
dsaint | 22 hours ago
I think if you want what we classically think of as a television you have two choices.
AlwaysHopelesslyLost | 19 hours ago
I don't believe this articles assessment of the findings. A LOT of this reads like big standard tech that is being game-of-telephoned through an alarmist layperson.
thefartyparty | 20 hours ago
I already had regrets about buying a $1200 LG tv a couple years ago- I hate the UI, so maybe it's time to go low tech
Poonchow | 18 hours ago
Why can't the modern surveillance state do anything good?
Like, spying on organized crime rings and turning in evidence of billionaire fraudster collusion.
No, it's just mundane evil shit like gathering data to advertise to us harder and give police more reason to assume we're all violent criminals.
VegetableCommand9427 | 20 hours ago
Well damn, I guess I better start unplugging the TV when not in use
lustyphilosopher | 38 minutes ago
Doesn't make a difference if you plug it in later, it buffers everything locally. And some say it even connects to free wifi if available
mojo276 | 22 hours ago
Just don't ever connect your TV to the internet.
IncaThink | 21 hours ago
Even now many TVs have an eSIM built in.
Soon enough every TV will have the ability to create its own connection whether we like it/ know it or not.
If you are at all thinking about it, buy a TV now is what I'm saying.
mojo276 | 20 hours ago
Which TVs have this currently?
IncaThink | 20 hours ago
Offhand, I don't know. But it's coming.
https://www.cayroshop.com/blogs/68232c11cb53f760e9ac4b10
Elrox | 9 hours ago
So what you're saying is that I should just strip any future TV's down a bit and cut the cable to the microphone? OK, sounds simple enough.
artfulpain | 17 hours ago
You can't use it. After the initial update. Eventually it will force you to restart with an update.
jbourne0129 | 20 hours ago
1 more reason to disconnect them: The wifi chip failed on my LG TV resulting in an always-on-screen error.
i replaced the wifi chip myself and disabled internet permenantly so that shit couldnt fail again and its been fine ever since.
jaymzx0 | 19 hours ago
Could probably just give it a static IP in a range outside your usual subnet and no gateway. It would be like it's talking in an empty room with no doors.
jbourne0129 | 19 hours ago
im just a layman. i have no idea what you are explaining.
Agile-Stick3505 | 22 hours ago
Holy crap, Apple TV it is
dsaint | 21 hours ago
Although you still have to plug it into a TV that’s going to spy on you. Even if you don’t run that TV’s streaming software suite.
Agile-Stick3505 | 21 hours ago
I figure I would shut off WiFi on the tv and connect the box instead
RaithMoracus | 21 hours ago
Do that, yes. But one of the story points for this is that the tv’s collect data while offline, hoarding it for when/if they reconnect. So if you ever sell the TV and the following buyer connects…
They’re full-on spying.
pluckyvirus | 21 hours ago
Eh you can always put the tv on a dns sink.
gh057 | 12 hours ago
Guess what? every electronic device is probably spying on you. Smartphones, TVs, laptops, Alexa, etc
When are people going to stop thinking governments and corporations are altruistic and realize they are all cutthroat and don't care about you at all?
You are being spied on, you have been spied on. Everything you do is data that's being harvested and used to create profiles on you that help with targeted ads, algorithms, and whatever else they can distract and/or brainwash you with.
-Clayburn | 20 hours ago
"Capitalism has made TVs so cheap! $150 for a 50 in flatscreen! My parents paid the equivalent of $700 for a 20 in CRT back in the day. Times sure are getting better!"
facebookgivesmeangst | 20 hours ago
Does running a Roku on HDMI help?
artfulpain | 17 hours ago
Well that's neat. I'm sure Samsung hasn't been doing that especially if paired with a Samsung phone.
billdietrich1 | 16 hours ago
One thing I hate about our LG TV: it defeats use of a Guest Wi-Fi network, by refusing to remember the network setting across power-cycles. I'm sure it's deliberate.
durk1912 | 13 hours ago
So what do I do with my LG? I mean if I go buy a Sony will it be doing the same thing?
dontwanna-cantmakeme | 19 hours ago
I just assume at this point that literally any tech I own is recording me if it has a mic, tracking all my data, and selling everything to whoever wants to pay for it.
fairybb311 | 18 hours ago
I guess i'm glad I accidentally bought the model that doesn't have a mic