- LG Electronics USA plans to suspend smart TV apps that turn TVs into always-on residential proxy nodes.
- Research by Spur found over 42% of LG webOS apps and over 25% of Samsung Tizen apps include proxy SDKs.
- LG is working with developers to remove the proxy option; non-compliant apps will be suspended.
- LG will strengthen its evaluation process for developer-submitted apps to prevent future proxy SDKs.
- Residential proxy providers like Bright Data pay developers to include SDKs, claiming they follow KYC and countermeasures.
- Spur argues that consent for such features is inadequate, especially when minors can grant it.
- LG also faces criticism for bundling McAfee antivirus software in its monitors via Windows Update without user approval.