…due to seemingly installing adware on PCs and telling you to warn guests they may be recorded by AI features, to comply with ‘wiretapping’ laws

  • ragebutt@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    6 days ago

    Connecting your tv to the internet is a terrible idea and has been for years. If you have webos and must connect it for some reason root it, block all updates (they rarely include bug fixes, just make the UI more sluggish with increased advertising), and block all lg ad domains in your router.

    ||snu.lge.com^ ||su.lge.com^ ||su-ssl.lge.com^ ||snu-dev.lge.com^ ||su-dev.lge.com^ ||nsu.lge.com^

    Are the domains to block, formatted for adguard.

    • gedfromgont@piefed.ca
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      6 days ago

      Yeah but this is going a step further. This is also happening for PC monitors which are a bit harder to keep away from internet seeing as they connect to your internet-connected computer. Router blocking will help there too of course but the average user will not be able to set this up.

      • ragebutt@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        The monitor thing is crazy because I have no idea why you would install software for your computer monitor?? Like the monitor itself isn’t connected to the internet and the adware comes from installing some lg monitor tools suite, and I have no clue why you would do that? Like are people really dead set on changing their monitor input via pc instead of the monitor osd??

        Monitor should and does just work. Lg just scams people into installing unnecessary software because it’s harder to shove ads into a computer monitor

        • Jesus_666@lemmy.world
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          Windows does that automatically. The software is part of the LG monitor driver and is distributed through Microsoft’s automatic driver setup infrastructure.

          There’s an obscure GPO that can prevent Windows from auto-installing “related files” but of course most people don’t know it exists or that it’s yet another core OS feature you have to turn off to use Windows in peace.

          • schipelblorp@sh.itjust.works
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            5 days ago

            “I turned it off but it got turned on again during the next update.” There is no peace. To use Windows is to constantly be at war.

          • maccentric@sh.itjust.works
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            6 days ago

            To prevent this kind of thing in future, run gpedit.msc and enable “Prevent automatic download of applications associated with device metadata” under Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation.

            Thanks to:@floofloof@lemmy.ca

          • ragebutt@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            6 days ago

            That’s the part I’m confused by. Why does a non touchscreen monitor even need a driver? It should work fine before windows is even in the picture?

            • Jesus_666@lemmy.world
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              6 days ago

              Might be glorified ICC profiles. Normally EDID should cover most bases already but I can see how config files might improve matters.

              Of course there is no justification for adding a dropper for unwanted programs.

        • kbobabob@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          I have no idea why you would install software for your computer monitor??

          AI. They need to be able to scan the pixels for…reasons

    • RustyNova@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      I didn’t connect my tv to the internet, I never accepted the terms of service. All you’re supposed to do is display what the HDMI tells you to.

      Sadly the vendor that recommended this TV didn’t get the message that I wanted a dumb TV

    • tomkatt@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      I mean, that’s a bit complicated, and they can always change the domains. I just block the whole-ass TV from WAN. I can still interface with it for smart home stuff on LAN, but it can’t update or access anything outside my network. And since it has an IP on the LAN, it doesn’t bitch and moan about not having network.

    • TheFrirish@tarte.nuage-libre.fr
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      6 days ago

      Unlike a lot of what I see on the internet your TV is 10000% listening to you (sole purpose is to target ads) anyway just disconnect or isolate your TV from the internet.

  • RabbitBBQ@lemmy.world
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    5 days ago

    Remember just a few years ago, all the main tech companies and Government were gaslighting the shit out of everyone about the targeted advertising stuff? It’s not listening to you! The ADs based on what you’re talking about are just coincidental!

    Maybe no one remembers this for some reason. Of course they just get away with all the lying

    • Super short version for those who don’t want to fight the site, some lg monitors install upsettingly comprehensive spyware onto your computer.

      Some lg tvs, years after purchase and with no warning, do the same thing to themselves. Like sleeper agents.

      And I’m not talking “monitor the images” spyware, I’m talking “listen in on your every word and send the transcript to lg” level spyware. “We have clauses around wiretapping wormed into the user agreement” level spying.

  • 13igTyme@piefed.social
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    6 days ago

    When I was shopping for a new monitor a while back I stayed away from “Smart” monitors with their own operation system. I’m connecting it to a computer, why would I spend an extra $600 when the exact same monitor without an operating system exists?

    • AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world
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      Look! You can watch Netflix on this monitor!

      Well, yes, there’s a PC stuck on it, of course I can.

      No, you can watch it without the PC!

      Why would I want to use a monitor without a PC?

      It’s only half again as expensive! It’s a steal!

      • mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works
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        Tbf, you could probably actually stream Netflix at 4K on it since it gets limuted to something like 720p in the browser. But that’s just because Netflix are bastards, not because of technical limits

        • AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world
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          it gets limited to something like 720p in the browser

          I think that depends on the browser (for reasons that I never really looked into). Some do 720p (I think that’s Firefox), some do ~1k (the Chrome based ones), maybe more.

    • Jimmycrackcrack@lemmy.ml
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      5 days ago

      I didn’t know the smart disease had infected computer monitors too. Seems like a harder sell even for those unconcerned with privacy. What could it possibly do that the computer it’s connected to wouldn’t be used for? If it’s a computer monitor it’s usually physically installed in a space you set aside for computer related stuff so even if you wanted all the “smart” features of a smart tv you’d be unlikely to want them there .

    • FoxAlive@lemmy.zip
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      When I’m at someone’s house and the YouTube video kicks into 4k 60fps its noticeable.

      Its almost too distracting when you’re not used to it. When its gone I miss it for a day or two but ultimately wasn’t the reason I enjoyed it.

      I’ll watch YouTube on my phone at 480p because I pretty much grew up on metered internet and it just feels wasteful. But I’m the type of guy to play at 1080p mid settings (uncapped distance and frames if possible tho) to give my PC a easy time. Even if have the media installed locally I’m going 720p tops because now storage is more important.

      The only time I’ll fully let myself enjoy high res high quality media is if its a physical form like a blue ray. Other than that in the back of my mind I’m always thinking about how ray tracing and crazy high rez is kind of a gimmick, and how I would rather have more frames or conserve my hardware.

  • chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    “Whoever came up with this…”

    Executive with shit eating grin in the corner of the room

    “And I’ll fuckin’ do it again”

  • RejZoR@lemmy.ml
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    6 days ago

    uBlock Origin anyone for the shitty ads? How do you folks even use internet without adblockers?! I don’t give a shit if it “pays” for the websites, it’s shit.

    As for LG, I put it on my shit list. Their panels might be good, but I will never buy TV or monitor branded by them after seeing this shit. Then again my MSI motherboard has its dumbass Armory whatever driver nonsense that I need to disable in BIOS every time I reset CMOS which is pissing me off too.

    Issue here is actually combination of shitty behavior from both, LG and Microsoft. LG doesn’t technically inject anything, they just send a hardware flag to Windows which then just gladly pulls shit from internet and runs it. Not only it’s annoying as fuck, this is malicious behavior and on top of that huge security risk. If anyone hijacks this shit from LG and Windows will just gladly parse and execute WHATEVER binary on millions of LG monitors. WHAT. THE. FUCK. You don’t have to compromise each individual system, you just need to compromise single target which is LG. I don’t think I need to further explain how that is insanely bad idea and Microsoft should disable this bullshit in Windows ASAP. I hope there will be more outrage about this…

    • Rothe@piefed.social
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      The ads are inherent in the software which Windows 11 automatically downloads as soon as you plug in the LG monitor. It doesn’t ask, and you will get the ads even with an adblocker because they are not shown in a browser, but in Windows itself.

      The best solution is not to use LG or Windows.

    • waz@feddit.uk
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      6 days ago

      This annoys me intensely. I don’t own a tv or monitor from LG, but I do have an excellent (dumb) washing machine and fridge, I would have updated my TV which is currently a fairly basic Samsung TV, because of it’s ads and I’ve decided they are on my shit list for this kind of thing.

  • dudeface@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    I have a LG oled tv and keep it off the internet because I keep hearing about crap like this

    I connect it occasionally because it has been pretty unstable and I hope that updates will resolve issues, but seems they are more concerned about updating ads etc than improving the system software

    • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldM
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      I have a LG oled tv and keep it off the internet

      I connect it occasionally

      So then you don’t keep it off the Internet, it would seem.

        • TrickDacy@lemmy.worldM
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          Better than the alternative I suppose. I have never owned a smart TV but need a new TV soon. Not looking forward to the shopping experience for that.

    • RoddyStiggs
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      Just return it if it doesn’t work right. You don’t need to tolerate this.

  • ∟⊔⊤∦∣≶@lemmy.nz
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    Surely there is some legal recourse? It’s vandalism. They are putting things on YOUR property. Secondly, shouldn’t they be paying YOU to lease your advertising space???

  • ape_arms@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    Is it possible to physically disable the mic on the TVs without adversely affecting other functions? I see no reason a mic to be necessary on a TV at all.

      • ape_arms@lemmy.world
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        I did a quick search and other suggestions are to fill the “mic hole”, stick a needle in the mic hole to damage the mic, and applying a soldering iron to the mic. My LG tv has no visible mic hole, so they are getting crafty at hiding them.

        • Dultas@lemmy.world
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          The soldering iron might be a bad idea if you don’t know what you’re doing as it could lead to a short.

    • Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone
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      I have a tcl smart TV and it has a physical switch on the base of the TV that turns the mic on and off.

      I was also able go download a program called productivity sweet which bypasses the TV’s base menu and just loads to a hdmi output screen and apps you want to see so there’s no adds or anything

  • Murse@slrpnk.net
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    6 days ago

    Been thinking about a monitor upgrade… I should get on that if they’re going the way of TVs. Any recommendations that don’t have all this shit?

    I’ve been using the same monitors for… holy shit, like almost two decades. One was a Goodwill trash purchase to use as a secondary, the other was a highschool graduation gift. Highschool. I barely even remember highschool at this point. Anyway, they’re showing their age. And I’m way out of touch with what specs to shoot for, or what they even mean. I need a ‘For Idiots’ guide to this shit.

    • Talcosis@lemmy.zip
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      6 days ago

      I got a scepter two years back. Specifically because they advertised no smart bullshit.

      • Murse@slrpnk.net
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        6 days ago

        Price on Scepters look decent too. Fuck it, going for it.

        Thanks for the insight!

    • Lemmayng@lemmy.world
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      6 days ago

      I bought a Dell monitor back in 2022, though I wasn’t caught up with their support towards the Israeli atrocities back then. Would recommend literally anyone else besides Dell or LG. Maybe Samsung, if they offer dumb monitors?

    • FoxAlive@lemmy.zip
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      I think I remember one of the rabbit hole on went down was that one of the few ways to get a non smart TV that’s still 65+ inches these days is if you bought a commercial TV for menus in drive through chains like McDonald’s. So a lot of reaturants statistically you would be safe from the TV itself but you have that self order menu now which is way worse. Or just their security cameras feed into the same systems flock uses.

      If its an average nonchain restaurant they probably use cheap smart TV ob the wall for sports. Even if they don’t have any other bad survalience tech they’ll probably have that.

      Everytime I bring this up there is one person that reminds me there is a brand that does basic non smart TV I just don’t remember the name or have ever looked into them.

    • rumba@lemmy.zip
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      5 days ago

      Amazon sidewalk was intended as a low throughput, mesh to let their devices get out.