LG says we're fake news [video]

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

LG’s ad- and data-driven strategy for its smart TVs, exposed in a recent Gamers Nexus investigation and contested corporate response, is prompting broader worries about how “owning the glass” has come to mean surveilling viewers in their own homes. Commenters describe automatic content recognition, aggressive tracking, opaque “opt‑in” consent flows, and firmware that can re-enable data collection, arguing this erodes any meaningful notion of product ownership. Many see this as a symptom of unregulated “smart” devices and late‑stage capitalism, and propose workarounds such as blocking domains, never connecting TVs to the internet, or buying commercial displays and projectors instead.

YouTube Titles and A/B Testing

  • Several commenters saw different titles for the same video, suggesting YouTube A/B testing of titles and thumbnails.
  • People note this behavior is now common, observable in real time as titles change.
  • Some dislike this normalization of invisible experimentation, saying it erodes trust and makes referencing content harder.

“Owning the Glass” and TV as Ad Platform

  • Commenters are disturbed by LG’s notion of “owning the glass,” interpreting it as “owning the viewers” and their data.
  • Comparison to long‑running attempts to own distribution channels (e.g., consoles, newspapers), but many argue this goes further by deeply fingerprinting households.
  • Some blame “stage‑4 capitalism” and a race for recurring revenue and data, not just hardware profit.

Tracking, ACR, and Consent

  • LG’s Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) and data collection are a central concern.
  • Officially it’s described as opt‑in, but multiple reports claim:
    • Covert screenshots and data collection even when options are disabled.
    • Settings being silently re‑enabled after firmware updates.
  • Linkable documentation shows ACR and ad tech as explicit product features.
  • Some highlight serious privacy risks, including capturing sensitive in‑home activity.

User Reactions and Practical Mitigations

  • Many regret buying smart TVs and describe constant appearance of undeletable apps and ads.
  • Suggested mitigations:
    • Never connect the TV to the internet; use external streaming devices.
    • Change Wi‑Fi passwords or physically remove Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth modules.
    • Use router‑level DNS blocking or tools like Pi‑hole / AdGuard.
    • Possible rooting / alternative firmware, though current open projects seem immature.
  • Others question whether devices might still try to connect via neighbor networks or future cellular modems; technically possible but not evidenced in the thread.

Desire for Dumb Displays

  • Strong demand for “dumb TVs” or commercial signage displays that are just panels.
  • Some note last remaining “dumb” consumer brands seem to be disappearing.
  • Alternatives discussed: large monitors, projectors, or BOE‑type bare panels via gray markets.

Smart Appliances and Broader Critique

  • Split views: some find connected features (e.g., dryer notifications) genuinely useful; others reject any internet‑connected appliance as a future abuse vector.
  • Consensus that the problem is mandatory connectivity, proprietary apps, ads, and surveillance, not connectivity per se.
  • Thread frequently references DMCA, DRM, and EULAs as key turning points that weakened ownership and consumer rights.
  • One commenter criticizes the investigative video’s rigor; others strongly defend it as thorough and impactful.