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Declining LG's New Ad-friendly Privacy Policy Removes Features From Smart TVs

Posted by Unknown on from the apt-get-install-xbmc dept.

BUL2294 (1081735) writes "Techdirt and Consumerist posted articles about a user in the UK who, after a firmware update to his 2-year old LG Smart TV, declined their new Privacy Policy, only to find that most Internet-connected features (e.g. BBC iPlayer, Skype) of the TV now no longer work. From the Techdirt article: 'Does a manufacturer have the right to "brick" certain integral services just because the end user doesn't feel comfortable sharing a bunch of info with LG and other, unnamed third parties? LG certainly feels it has the right to do this. In fact, it makes no secret of this in its long Privacy Policy — a document that spends more time discussing the lack thereof, rather than privacy itself. The opening paragraph makes this perfectly clear.' To add, even declining the policy still results in non-specified information being sent to LG. LG's policy of spying on the viewing habits of customers, along with sending filenames of videos stored on USB devices connected to TVs, was previously discussed on Slashdot."

5 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Send it back.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Return the TV for a full refund. Under UK law you cannot impose conditions after the point of sale.

    It looks like people are going to need 3 VLANs soon... One for WiFi, one for computers with private information and a 3rd with no external access except to addresses specifically allowed.

    1. Re:Send it back.... by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Insightful

      How would I know if they were selling my viewing habits anyway?

      You can probably assume that if you connected it to the internet, that it is.

      I seem to remember a story not so long ago where even if you said "no, I don't want to", some devices did anyway.

      Assume corporations are greedy and evil, and don't give a damn what you want. They probably are.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Send it back.... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The answer is never buy a smart TV. They offer no advantages over a dumb TV and a Roku box and only offer disadvantages.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:Send it back.... by erikkemperman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      srsly, some tvs have a video camera for skype? talk about a telescreen. you never know when they're watching, so you have to assume they're watching all the time.

      Yeah mine has a camera and mic. But I have duct tape, so that's all right.

      --
      Gosh, thanks. That must be why the other ships call me Meatfucker -- GCU Grey Area (Eccentric)
  2. Re:It's not a privacy policy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Terms of use for physical product changed after purchase in such a way as to cripple said product? That's called "bait and switch."