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A TV can be used for more than just watching movies. Some Smart TV apps contained code that allowed routing other people's internet traffic through the user's connection.
More than 42% of LG apps contained such code
The issue was uncovered by Spur, a cybersecurity firm. It analyzed apps available on LG and Samsung TVs. On LG's webOS, as many as 42.5% of the apps examined contained components that allow them to act as so-called residential proxies. On Samsung, it was 26.5%. This mechanism lets someone route other people's internet traffic through the TV owner's connection. It can be used, among other things, to collect data from the internet. Users didn't even realize their device was involved. The problem even affected apps like the Pac-Man game, 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, saying it will remove apps that have been used for abuse. The company has also restricted the registration of new apps that use such solutions. However, that doesn't fully resolve the problem, since those moves mainly affect the app stores and the apps available in them. Some apps may already have been installed on users' devices. LG made its position clear: either developers remove residential proxy features, or their apps may be suspended.
LG is the talk of the town following a recent scandal that was publicized, among others, by the channel Gamers Nexus. Their strong reaction may stem precisely from the fact that they themselves are accused of tracking users. LG, however, denies these reports. What is the truth? Only they know.
Sources: FlatpanelsHD, TechCrunch, KrebsOnSecurity
