LG is reportedly investigating claims that some of its Smart TVs are doing ‘ unauthorised spying’ on their owners’ viewing habits and sending them to the manufacturer even if privacy settings are strict in place.
This comes amidst an investigation carried out by a UK-based IT consultant, Jason Huntley who detailed how his Smart TV was sending data about which channels were being watched, apart from uploading content of devices attached to the TV.
According to the BBC, this could mean that the electronic manufacturer is involved iin possible data breach and has broken the Data Protection Act.
When Huntley contacted LG, he was told that by using the TV he had accepted the company’s terms and conditions, and that any remaining concerns should be directed to the retailer who had sold him the screen.
However, LG’s spokesman said that the company was looking into the complaint and customer privacy is a top priority at LG Electronics.
Huntley had found in October, that his Smart TV’s menu system had an option called ‘ collection of watching info’, which was switched on by default, and ultimately sent all the data to LG servers , including the DVD content that was attached to the television set.
He suggested that even if LG had never inspected the data, it could still pose a security risk as hackers could take advantage of the practice, the report added. (ANI)