3 ms·

I deeply regret buying my LG. Originally the plan was to never connect it to wifi, and use an external device (chromecast, apple tv, or whatever) but my wife wa

by hadlock 14d ago

I deeply regret buying my LG. Originally the plan was to never connect it to wifi, and use an external device (chromecast, apple tv, or whatever) but my wife was too excited to try out whatever features. Unfortunately we can't sell the TV for anywhere what we paid for it new (to replace it with a different brand) so we're stuck with it for another ~7-10 years, or whatever the standard TV replacement interval is these days. New "apps" keep showing up on the main screen, which I have to "delete" from the main screen once a month or so (they're not deleted, they're just undeletable apps in some massive library of preinstalled spyware we can fortunately mostly hide). Apparently Sony OLED screens are LG "glass" but without the spyware.

literallyroy 14d ago
Why not reset it
dessimus 14d ago
>Apparently Sony OLED screens are LG "glass" but without the spyware. Without independent verification from someone like GN, I wouldn't trust "we installed rootkits" Sony not to be spying too.
- wmf 14d ago
  Since Sony TVs run Android at least you can probably use ADB to remove a lot of junk.
  - nottorp 14d ago
    ... if they're rootable ...
    - ihsw 14d ago
      ... if they're rootable without the ability for Sony to revoke that rootability ...
    - hn92726819 13d ago
      You can actually do a lot without root sometimes. You can revoke permissions and disable apps.
      - preisschild 10d ago
        Not if they are system apps installed by the OEM
        KJs6ZxELzQM37O 10d ago
        You can disable system apps as long as they are not marked as critical or persistent apps that must be enabled for the system to work. adb pm disable --user 0 <whatever> is stronger the ui app info disable button.
        preisschild 10d ago
        Yeah but as you said if they are marked as persistent (which for oem spyware would make sense) you cant.
        hn92726819 6d ago
        Not all OEM apps are marked persistent. Especially on non-pixel devices, you can disable a lot of apps.
  - deleted 12d ago
    [deleted]
forestry 14d ago
What’s stopping you from disconnecting it from wifi mow?
- fwip 14d ago
  This is also my question, but I suppose the answer could be that we don't trust LG to actually forget the wifi password (and not use it surreptitiously later). You could also change the wifi info, but that might mean changing a whole lot of devices (including wife's and kids).
  - mapontosevenths 14d ago
    The gamers nexus thing touched on this.. Apparently some ignore that choice and connect to open wifi or something like Comcasts modem hijacking wifi.
    - nickthegreek 13d ago
      they stated it technical could. not that they have evidence of that happening.
      - lambdaone 13d ago
        Technically, they could do a whole bunch of things, including doing multihop routing via other connected televisions or insecure WiFi networks. There's no evidence that they do this, as far as I know, but also no reason why they couldn't do this in the future if they wanted to.
      - mapontosevenths 13d ago
        You're right. I think I conflated allegations in the comments with the actual claims made in the Youtube video. GM did show that the devices scan for open wifi networks, and users in the comments have claimed that it connects without their permission. Gamers nexus did not make that claim about them actually connecting though.
MattTheRealOne 14d ago
Sony uses Google TV. Doesn't inspire trust as far as spying and data collection goes.
- Marsymars 14d ago
  My Sony with Google TV is pretty good in "Basic Mode" without an internet connection though.
- qlte 13d ago
  Google TV Basic Mode is the easiest way to get a "dumb" TV, it's the first thing you're asked when you setup for the first time and works like you'd expect.
jeffbee 14d ago
It feels like there must be multiple completely different implementations of LG OLED TVs. I would not say that my LG has a "main screen" of any kind. When I turn mine on it shows the last input that had been used or, if that thing is off, it shows the bouncy egg and "No Signal". If I press the button on the remote that says RECENTS and has a picture of a house on it, which I guess is the "main screen", it maintains the bouncy egg but shows a ribbon of apps on the bottom. Those are my installed apps: Hulu, Prime, Peacock, YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+ happen to be today's recents. Where is this "main screen" where unbidden appvertisements arise?
- schlarpc 14d ago
  That ribbon got slammed full of advertisements at some point, last I knew.
  - jeffbee 14d ago
    Mine has been strictly MRU forever. When I look at this video, it does not resemble the software on my LG OLED TV at all. There must be several platforms or generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8atmvE0ArA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8atmvE0ArA
    - nottorp 14d ago
      But how do you know which LG model does what?
      - jeffbee 14d ago
        I don't. That's the point of my thread. But it's clear to me that not every LG owner is seeing the same things.
- reaperducer 14d ago
  Hulu, Prime, Peacock, YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+ happen to be today's recents. Where do you find the time to post on HN?
kelipso 14d ago
Disconnect it from the internet, buy a streaming device, and use the streaming device. It’s really not that complicated. If you want a bit complicated, you can probably unscrew the back panel and remove the wifi card.
- sumedh 13d ago
  > It’s really not that complicated. You can do that no the average joe.
  - Hammershaft 13d ago
    The "average joe" can absolutely do that... It's as simple as buying a TV, never hooking it up, and then buying something like an Apple TV that you do hook up to the internet.
- sixothree 13d ago
  Can we really trust it to honor your request to stop using the internet? After hearing them speak on this subject, I have my doubts it will honor your request so quickly and easily.
  - VCFundedGenYer 13d ago
    You can't change the laws of physics. If it isn't connected to the network, it can't communicate.
    - Hammershaft 13d ago
      Unless it is factory reset (and even then?) it presumably still has saved wifi credentials?
    - kelipso 12d ago
      Wifi exists now lol, and if there are open wifi networks in the vicinity, it can use it.
    - 9d ago
emmelaich 14d ago
Buy a cast/apple tv anyway and then reset the LG screen to factory. Is that an option?
dubyah 14d ago
As others have said, cut off access and/or factory reset it. My LG has never been granted net access, firmware upgrades through USB drives, and streaming through Onn 4K box(w/ a 3rd party launcher) and Apple TV. No surprise ads, apps, or anything.
- sethops1 14d ago
  What do you get from upgrading the firmware? I have a 10 yo smart tv that I simply treated as a dumb tv. Works fine.
  - phil21 14d ago
    Mostly bug fixes relevant to higher end home theatre setups. Typically bleeding edge stuff where a TV is released before a new HDMI spec is fully baked or whatnot. One of my older OLED panels needed a number of updates to get proper Dolby Vision profile support a few years back. Typically not all that relevant most of the time to the average consumer, but if you’re having a persistent annoyance it’s worth looking through release notes from time to time. This ignores that the vast majority of consumers actually use the smart tv features like the Netflix app. Then updates start to become far more relevant and eventually mandatory.
  - wincy 13d ago
    I updated my LG C5 firmware via USB and my Nintendo Switch 2 now says “Switch 2” on the home page instead of “Unknown Device”. So that’s nice I guess. Also it seemed to fix something with the 120hz HDR 10:10:10 signal when connected to my PC if I recall correctly that before resulted in poor image quality.
  - VCFundedGenYer 13d ago
    I have a TCL TV where a recent firmware update actually fixed up some Arc power settings and a few other things. I only connect the TV to update it once every 6 months, and as soon as the update is done, it gets unplugged from the network again.
kmfrk 14d ago
Sony TVs are handled by TCL now, so time will tell how Sony-branded models act (up) in the future. https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/sony-just-handed-its-tv-business-to-tcl-heres-what-it-means-for-you https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/sony-just-handed-its-tv-busine...
nullify88 13d ago
I have a Sony A95K and have kept it in basic mode because I have a shield I like to game and stream from. The sony is very minimal and out the way, and after many software updates hasn't offered me any ads, or programs to run even while connected to WiFi. However if you run Android, you have to accept some level of snooping.
chanux 13d ago
Excuse me, YOUR LG?
jbaiter 13d ago
You can root it and put it behind a PiHole or the like, that should allow you to get rid of the worst offenders. https://www.webosbrew.org/rooting/ https://www.webosbrew.org/rooting/
onlyhumans 12d ago
Jailbreak it and neuter its network stack
cucumber3732842 12d ago
>but my wife was too excited to try out whatever features. God knows how many millions of people could drive a car from 2004 forever, use small dumb screens and other appliances, etc, etc, if not for other members of their household.
- ChoGGi 11d ago
  I won't say I like modern vehicles, but I like side impact airbags.
420official 11d ago
I just set up a second network that can't reach the internet and connect the TVs to that
sharperguy 11d ago
It's worse than that. I have an LG TV which I never connected to Wifi at all. Instead we use the Amazon FireStick which just contains all the same spyware that the LG TV would've had but sends it to Amazon instead. In fact, due to DRM licensing, it's not possible to have a legit TV streaming device that isn't full of spyware and still allows you to watch streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ etc in full resolution.
- CuriousRose 11d ago
  I haven't had any issues with my Apple TV?
preisschild 10d ago
Same. I absolutely love my WOLED panel, but the software has gotten a lot worse then when I first bought it in 2022. Back then I could easily install third party apps (like youtube sponsorblock) or do custom scripts like "send mqtt topic when media playback is started/stopped", but they removed those possibilities via updates... Would love to use a free software alternative.

by hadlock 14d ago

literallyroy 14d ago

Why not reset it

dessimus 14d ago

>Apparently Sony OLED screens are LG "glass" but without the spyware. Without independent verification from someone like GN, I wouldn't trust "we installed rootkits" Sony not to be spying too.

wmf 14d ago
Since Sony TVs run Android at least you can probably use ADB to remove a lot of junk.
- nottorp 14d ago
  ... if they're rootable ...
  - ihsw 14d ago
    ... if they're rootable without the ability for Sony to revoke that rootability ...
  - hn92726819 13d ago
    You can actually do a lot without root sometimes. You can revoke permissions and disable apps.
    - preisschild 10d ago
      Not if they are system apps installed by the OEM
      - KJs6ZxELzQM37O 10d ago
        You can disable system apps as long as they are not marked as critical or persistent apps that must be enabled for the system to work. adb pm disable --user 0 <whatever> is stronger the ui app info disable button.
        preisschild 10d ago
        Yeah but as you said if they are marked as persistent (which for oem spyware would make sense) you cant.
        hn92726819 6d ago
        Not all OEM apps are marked persistent. Especially on non-pixel devices, you can disable a lot of apps.
- deleted 12d ago
  [deleted]

forestry 14d ago

What’s stopping you from disconnecting it from wifi mow?

fwip 14d ago
This is also my question, but I suppose the answer could be that we don't trust LG to actually forget the wifi password (and not use it surreptitiously later). You could also change the wifi info, but that might mean changing a whole lot of devices (including wife's and kids).
- mapontosevenths 14d ago
  The gamers nexus thing touched on this.. Apparently some ignore that choice and connect to open wifi or something like Comcasts modem hijacking wifi.
  - nickthegreek 13d ago
    they stated it technical could. not that they have evidence of that happening.
    - lambdaone 13d ago
      Technically, they could do a whole bunch of things, including doing multihop routing via other connected televisions or insecure WiFi networks. There's no evidence that they do this, as far as I know, but also no reason why they couldn't do this in the future if they wanted to.
    - mapontosevenths 13d ago
      You're right. I think I conflated allegations in the comments with the actual claims made in the Youtube video. GM did show that the devices scan for open wifi networks, and users in the comments have claimed that it connects without their permission. Gamers nexus did not make that claim about them actually connecting though.

MattTheRealOne 14d ago

Sony uses Google TV. Doesn't inspire trust as far as spying and data collection goes.

Marsymars 14d ago
My Sony with Google TV is pretty good in "Basic Mode" without an internet connection though.
qlte 13d ago
Google TV Basic Mode is the easiest way to get a "dumb" TV, it's the first thing you're asked when you setup for the first time and works like you'd expect.

jeffbee 14d ago

It feels like there must be multiple completely different implementations of LG OLED TVs. I would not say that my LG has a "main screen" of any kind. When I turn mine on it shows the last input that had been used or, if that thing is off, it shows the bouncy egg and "No Signal". If I press the button on the remote that says RECENTS and has a picture of a house on it, which I guess is the "main screen", it maintains the bouncy egg but shows a ribbon of apps on the bottom. Those are my installed apps: Hulu, Prime, Peacock, YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+ happen to be today's recents. Where is this "main screen" where unbidden appvertisements arise?

schlarpc 14d ago
That ribbon got slammed full of advertisements at some point, last I knew.
- jeffbee 14d ago
  Mine has been strictly MRU forever. When I look at this video, it does not resemble the software on my LG OLED TV at all. There must be several platforms or generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8atmvE0ArA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8atmvE0ArA
  - nottorp 14d ago
    But how do you know which LG model does what?
    - jeffbee 14d ago
      I don't. That's the point of my thread. But it's clear to me that not every LG owner is seeing the same things.
reaperducer 14d ago
Hulu, Prime, Peacock, YouTube, Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+ happen to be today's recents. Where do you find the time to post on HN?

kelipso 14d ago

Disconnect it from the internet, buy a streaming device, and use the streaming device. It’s really not that complicated. If you want a bit complicated, you can probably unscrew the back panel and remove the wifi card.

sumedh 13d ago
> It’s really not that complicated. You can do that no the average joe.
- Hammershaft 13d ago
  The "average joe" can absolutely do that... It's as simple as buying a TV, never hooking it up, and then buying something like an Apple TV that you do hook up to the internet.
sixothree 13d ago
Can we really trust it to honor your request to stop using the internet? After hearing them speak on this subject, I have my doubts it will honor your request so quickly and easily.
- VCFundedGenYer 13d ago
  You can't change the laws of physics. If it isn't connected to the network, it can't communicate.
  - Hammershaft 13d ago
    Unless it is factory reset (and even then?) it presumably still has saved wifi credentials?
  - kelipso 12d ago
    Wifi exists now lol, and if there are open wifi networks in the vicinity, it can use it.
  - 9d ago

emmelaich 14d ago

Buy a cast/apple tv anyway and then reset the LG screen to factory. Is that an option?

dubyah 14d ago

As others have said, cut off access and/or factory reset it. My LG has never been granted net access, firmware upgrades through USB drives, and streaming through Onn 4K box(w/ a 3rd party launcher) and Apple TV. No surprise ads, apps, or anything.

sethops1 14d ago
What do you get from upgrading the firmware? I have a 10 yo smart tv that I simply treated as a dumb tv. Works fine.
- phil21 14d ago
  Mostly bug fixes relevant to higher end home theatre setups. Typically bleeding edge stuff where a TV is released before a new HDMI spec is fully baked or whatnot. One of my older OLED panels needed a number of updates to get proper Dolby Vision profile support a few years back. Typically not all that relevant most of the time to the average consumer, but if you’re having a persistent annoyance it’s worth looking through release notes from time to time. This ignores that the vast majority of consumers actually use the smart tv features like the Netflix app. Then updates start to become far more relevant and eventually mandatory.
- wincy 13d ago
  I updated my LG C5 firmware via USB and my Nintendo Switch 2 now says “Switch 2” on the home page instead of “Unknown Device”. So that’s nice I guess. Also it seemed to fix something with the 120hz HDR 10:10:10 signal when connected to my PC if I recall correctly that before resulted in poor image quality.
- VCFundedGenYer 13d ago
  I have a TCL TV where a recent firmware update actually fixed up some Arc power settings and a few other things. I only connect the TV to update it once every 6 months, and as soon as the update is done, it gets unplugged from the network again.

kmfrk 14d ago

Sony TVs are handled by TCL now, so time will tell how Sony-branded models act (up) in the future. https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/sony-just-handed-its-tv-business-to-tcl-heres-what-it-means-for-you https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/sony-just-handed-its-tv-busine...

nullify88 13d ago

I have a Sony A95K and have kept it in basic mode because I have a shield I like to game and stream from. The sony is very minimal and out the way, and after many software updates hasn't offered me any ads, or programs to run even while connected to WiFi. However if you run Android, you have to accept some level of snooping.

chanux 13d ago

Excuse me, YOUR LG?

jbaiter 13d ago

You can root it and put it behind a PiHole or the like, that should allow you to get rid of the worst offenders. https://www.webosbrew.org/rooting/ https://www.webosbrew.org/rooting/

onlyhumans 12d ago

Jailbreak it and neuter its network stack

cucumber3732842 12d ago

>but my wife was too excited to try out whatever features. God knows how many millions of people could drive a car from 2004 forever, use small dumb screens and other appliances, etc, etc, if not for other members of their household.

ChoGGi 11d ago
I won't say I like modern vehicles, but I like side impact airbags.

420official 11d ago

I just set up a second network that can't reach the internet and connect the TVs to that

sharperguy 11d ago

It's worse than that. I have an LG TV which I never connected to Wifi at all. Instead we use the Amazon FireStick which just contains all the same spyware that the LG TV would've had but sends it to Amazon instead. In fact, due to DRM licensing, it's not possible to have a legit TV streaming device that isn't full of spyware and still allows you to watch streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ etc in full resolution.

CuriousRose 11d ago
I haven't had any issues with my Apple TV?

preisschild 10d ago

Same. I absolutely love my WOLED panel, but the software has gotten a lot worse then when I first bought it in 2022. Back then I could easily install third party apps (like youtube sponsorblock) or do custom scripts like "send mqtt topic when media playback is started/stopped", but they removed those possibilities via updates... Would love to use a free software alternative.