LG promises to stop your Smart TV spying on you

In light of accusations that its Smart TVs were sending private data to its servers, LG has admitted that some of its sets are behaving in ways they shouldn't be. In a statement, the Korean manufacturer conceded that it has been collecting channel, TV platform and broadcast source data from some units, even when the feature was switched off. However, the company said that when the feature operates normally, it helps provide viewing recommendations to other LG Smart TV owners based on what they are watching. In response to claims it was also beaming over names of files located on connected USB keys, LG admits that it actually forms part of a service that searches the internet for detailed information on a particular film or TV show -- although that has yet to launch.

Understandably, both features might leave a nasty taste in your mouth, especially if you own one of the affected Smart TVs. With that in mind, LG says it is currently preparing a firmware update that will ensure its data-collection settings adhere to user preferences -- which also includes killing off its metadata-matching service before it had the chance to live.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, LG

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