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A television can be used for more than watching films. Some Smart TV apps contained code that allowed other people's internet traffic to be routed through the user's connection.
More than 42% of LG apps contained this code
The issue was detected by Spur, a cybersecurity firm. It analysed apps available on LG and Samsung TVs. In the case of LG's webOS, as many as 42.5% of the apps examined contained components enabling them to operate as so-called residential proxies. For Samsung it was 26.5%. The mechanism allows routing other people's internet traffic through the TV owner's connection. This can be used, among other things, to collect data from the internet. Users were not even aware that their device was taking part in this. The issue affected even apps such as the game Pac-Man, which is available on Samsung TVs.
LG and Samsung respond
After the issue was revealed, both companies announced they would take action. Samsung is also responding decisively, announcing it will remove available apps used for abusive purposes. The company has also limited registration of new apps that use such solutions. However, this does not fully eliminate the problem, as these moves primarily affect the stores and the apps available in them. Some apps may already have been installed on devices. LG made its position clear: either app developers remove residential proxy features, or their apps may be suspended.
LG is the talk of the town over a recent scandal publicised, among others, by the Gamers Nexus channel. Their firm response may be precisely because they themselves are accused of tracking users. LG, however, denies these reports. What is the truth? Only they know.
Sources: FlatpanelsHD, TechCrunch, KrebsOnSecurity
