LG to Suspend Smart TV Apps After Spur Finds Proxy Code in 42.5%
Updated
Updated · ZDNet · Jul 28
LG to Suspend Smart TV Apps After Spur Finds Proxy Code in 42.5%
1 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 28
Summary
LG said it will remove residential proxy functions from webOS apps and suspend developers that do not comply, after a review it says is already well underway.
Spur examined 6,038 apps across LG webOS and Samsung Tizen and found 2,058 were effectively selling users' IP addresses; 42.5% of LG apps and 26.5% of Samsung apps contained proxy functionality.
Those apps can keep using a TV's IP address and spare resources even when closed, turning always-on devices into residential proxy nodes that can be rented for scraping, scalping or to mask malicious traffic.
LG said residential proxy networks are not an intended use for its smart TVs and plans to tighten app vetting, while the findings suggest the issue extends beyond LG to Samsung's Tizen ecosystem.