Comment by Spearchucker

13 years ago

How can't it be disabled? It needs a network connection to do that. I imagine there is a use case compelling enough to encourage the user to hook it up (YouTube?) but I doubt it has satcoms. Sooo... just don't configure the network.

That notwithstanding, I see boxes like Apple TV and Xbox One becoming the way that people interact with their TVs, making the whole problem somewhat moot anyway.

7 comments

Spearchucker

Reply
vidarh  13 years ago

As I posted to his blog, I think he should contact the Information Commissioners Office. The TV appears to be sending cookie information, which makes it likely that not presenting him with the information in a clear way runs afoul of the infamous EU cookie law. Expecting people to read T&C's for a TV is nonsene.

There are also potentially other issues with the UK Data Protection Act, such as if they were to collect any personally identifiable information, which is likely that they will at times do if it snarfs data from attached USB devices at will.

And I'd love to see how they respond if he serves them with a Subject Access Notice (in the EU we have a legal right to see what data companies hold on us in most cases).

koralatov  13 years ago

My TV (not an LG, thankfully) has really very good LoveFilm and BBC iPlayer apps built right into it, both of which require a network connection and are quite compelling reasons to use said network connection. I could watch both of these things via my Xbox, but then I'm needlessly powering the TV and the Xbox, rather than just the TV as in scenario one. I don't think I should have to double my power use just to avoid being spied upon.

primelens  13 years ago

Isn't network connectivity kind of the point of a smart tv?

  • pja  13 years ago

    Yes, but reporting back every program you choose to watch to the TV manufacturer certainly isn't.

    Naturally they bury this little fact deep in the T&Cs where you won't even get to read it until you get the TV home, and who reads T&Cs? Almost nobody & the LG knows it.

    How well do you think this TV would sell if they had to emblazon "This TV will report what you watch to LG so that they can sell that information to anyone" across the front in the store?

    • primelens  13 years ago

      > Yes, but reporting back every program you choose to watch to the TV manufacturer certainly isn't

      Of course, I agree. My point was that since the buyer wants a "smart" tv, they probably mean to connect it to the network. So instead of not configuring the network, blocking the "phone home" ips might be a more realistic (although probably too technical for most) solution.

  • ds9  13 years ago

    I've been shopping for a TV, and while the network-enabled features may be the point of calling certain models "smart", it is not necessarily something the buyer wants. It may appeal to many people - if they don't realize that the software may be buggy, security-compromising, or soon outdated and hard to update.

    For me it's only unwanted bloat, like 3D. IOW, I may buy a "smart" TV, but if so it's only for the other features like screen size and quality. Nontechnical people have to be educated that the network features may compromise privacy and LAN security - but AFAIK you can always opt out, as the grandparent points out.

    At least I assume it needs a cable or a wifi key - if it actually seeks out wireless and connects without permission, it's lawsuit time.