← Back to context

Comment by hypfer

7 days ago

I'm practically certain that there was no ill-intent by LG when conceiving this feature. It was most likely just a convenience thing.

But I am also practically certain, that, eventually, any pile of data will attract ideas you do not want attracted.

21 comments

hypfer

Reply
upboundspiral  7 days ago

There are multiple recordings of LG executives saying "we own the glass (the TV)", referring to the "LG household", and how they can serve targeted ads by recognizing every device on the network. Just watch the video...

The head of LG ads was banned from serving in a public company for 10 years by the SEC for fraud...

rickdeckard  7 days ago

Yes, unfortunately the investigative video is implying (or explicitly stating) malice on every detail they discovered, which is harming the overall message IMO.

They hacked the TV OS, then used the TV UI to do a web search with voice-input and observed (still on the UI!) that the voice input didn't stop immediately on silence but kept extending the search prompt with everything said [0].

The OS-hack was irrelevant for this, the whole sensationalism that a listening process is running (and therefore the device is listening to everything) is just drama added to the sober fact that someone started voice-input, the input field is still displayed on the bottom of the UI and keeps getting populated with new input.

There is an important message in this about security hardening, privacy, data protection, but this conspiracy theory that everything is made to spy on you is not helping...

[0] https://youtu.be/6IFVTcM28KA?si=OCmfai2KXSaQt1Bk&t=2958

  • hypfer  7 days ago

    I really wish Steve would not have befriended Louis to the degree he has, but.. well.

    Or rather I wish Louis would limit the "bulldozing" persona to the context in which it is necessary instead of all contexts ever at any time.

    No issue with people being friends. Just issue in standards deteriorating.

    ___

    Is this how Twitter felt like for journalists back in the day? You see a story, and you think "ah yes, that guy's signature"?

    End me.

    • rustcleaner  6 days ago

      I think the friendship is spectacular, and I think Rossmann should go even harder than he does!

  • givinguflac  7 days ago

    | but this conspiracy theory that everything is made to spy on you is not helping...

    Have you actually looked at what is being discussed? There is no conspiracy theory, these are simple facts. Just about every electronic device is made to spy on you in 2026. Thinking otherwise is naive, at best.

    • rickdeckard  7 days ago

      | but this conspiracy theory that everything is made to spy on you is not helping... Have you actually looked at what is being discussed? There is no conspiracy theory, these are simple facts. Just about every electronic device is made to spy on you in 2026. Thinking otherwise is naive, at best.

      You've accidentally proven my statement: If you're not specific, you're not helping.

      3 replies →

    • pessimizer  7 days ago

      You don't understand - it's not meant to spy on you, it's only meant to spy on you.

      It's only meant to spy on you in the way that won't get really bad viral press right now. If it spies on you in the way that people notice and object, it was clearly a honest mistake.