TL;DR
LG Electronics USA will suspend smart TV apps that use televisions as residential proxy nodes, following research revealing that over 42% of such apps allow third-party traffic routing.
✦ Why It Matters
Review and update your smart TV apps to comply with LG's new policy on residential proxies.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
LG Electronics announced plans to suspend apps on its smart TVs that utilize residential proxy software development kits (SDKs), which turn televisions into proxy nodes for third-party internet traffic. This decision follows a study by security firm Spur, which found that more than 42% of apps in LG's webOS store contained these SDKs, with similar findings for Samsung's Tizen OS.
LG's Senior Vice President, John Taylor, emphasized that residential proxy networks are not intended for smart TVs and that the company is actively working with developers to remove these features. If developers do not comply, their apps will be suspended.
The presence of residential proxies raises concerns about user consent, especially for minors who may inadvertently agree to such terms. LG's commitment to enhancing app quality and user experience includes a thorough review process for developer submissions.
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