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LG Television sale of personal data: Difference between revisions

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<!--{{Infobox Incident
{{IncidentCargo
| title = LG G3 OLED Default Data Collection
|Company=LG
| image = LG_G3_OLED_Privacy_Settings.jpg
|StartDate=2023-12-12
| caption = Privacy settings on the LG G3 OLED. By default, data collection is enabled.
|EndDate=
| date = 2024
|Status=Active
| company = [[LG Electronics]]
|ProductLine=
| industry = Consumer Electronics, Smart TVs
|Product=LG G3 OLED
| consumer_rights_violated = Privacy, Data Ownership
|ArticleType=Product
}}-->
|Type=Advertising, Opt-out, Privacy
[[File:LG G3 oled privacy settings.png|alt=The LG G3 OLED defaults to a setting of "do not sell my personal information" being off, meaning it is configured to allow the sale of personal information by default. |thumb|The LG G3 OLED defaults to a setting of "do not sell my personal information" being off, meaning it is configured to allow the sale of personal information by default.]]
|Description = Despite being priced at $3600+, The LG G3 OLED sells and monitors your activity on the device by default, and the opt out process is deliberately inconvenient.
The '''LG G3 OLED''', a flagship television priced at '''$3,600+'''[https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-oled77g3pua-oled-4k-tv], is configured '''out of the box''' to collect and sell user data without explicit consumer consent.<ref name="the-markup">{{Cite web|url=https://themarkup.org/privacy/2023/12/12/your-smart-tv-knows-what-youre-watching|title=Your Smart TV Knows What You’re Watching|publisher=The Markup|author1=Mohamed Al Elew|author2=Gabriel Hongsdusit|language=en|format=article|date=12 Dec 2023|access-date=30 Jan 2025}}</ref> The TV gathers data on viewing habits and interactions, sharing this information with third-party advertisers.<ref name="consumer-reports">{{Cite web|url=https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036|title=How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features|publisher=Consumer Reports|author=James K. Willcox|date=11 Nov 2023|access-date=30 Jan 2025|language=en|format=article}}</ref> Users must manually disable tracking through multiple settings menus, a process that requires navigating through a series of privacy settings buried deep within the interface.<ref name="lg-caprivacy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lg.com/us/caprivacy-detail|title=California Privacy Policy|publisher=LG Electronics US|access-date=30 Jan 2025|language=en|format=policy statement}}</ref>
}}
[[File:LG G3 oled privacy settings.png|thumb|The LG G3 OLED defaults to a setting of "do not sell my personal information" being off, meaning it is configured to allow the sale of personal information by default.]]
 
The [[LG]] G3 OLED, a flagship television priced at $3,600+,<ref>{{Cite web |title=LG OLED evo G3 77 Inch Class 4K OLED TV 2023 |url=https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-oled77g3pua-oled-4k-tv |website=LG |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205111423/https://www.lg.com/us/tvs/lg-oled77g3pua-oled-4k-tv |archive-date=5 Feb 2026}}</ref> is configured '''out of the box''' to collect and sell user data without explicit consumer consent.<ref name="the-markup">{{Cite web|url=https://themarkup.org/privacy/2023/12/12/your-smart-tv-knows-what-youre-watching|title=Your Smart TV Knows What You’re Watching|publisher=The Markup|author1=Mohamed Al Elew|author2=Gabriel Hongsdusit|language=en|format=article|date=12 Dec 2023|access-date=30 Jan 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222101653/https://themarkup.org/privacy/2023/12/12/your-smart-tv-knows-what-youre-watching |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The TV gathers data on viewing habits and interactions, sharing this information with third-party advertisers.<ref name="consumer-reports">{{Cite web|url=https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036|title=How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features|publisher=Consumer Reports|author=James K. Willcox|date=11 Nov 2023|access-date=30 Jan 2025|language=en|format=article |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216122219/https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> Users must manually disable tracking through multiple settings menus, a process that requires navigating through a series of privacy settings buried deep within the interface.<ref name="lg-caprivacy">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lg.com/us/caprivacy-detail|title=California Privacy Policy|publisher=LG Electronics US|access-date=30 Jan 2025|language=en|format=policy statement |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804164653/https://www.lg.com/us/caprivacy-detail |archive-date=4 Aug 2025}}</ref>


This practice violates the privacy rights of LG's customers:
This practice violates the privacy rights of LG's customers:
*It defaults users into data collection and sales instead of requiring opt-in consent.
*It defaults users into data collection and sales instead of requiring opt-in consent.
*The opt-out process requires '''multiple navigation steps''' and is deliberately obscure.<ref name="the-markup" />
*The opt-out process requires multiple navigation steps and is deliberately obscure.<ref name="the-markup" />
*It aligns with a broader industry trend of TV manufacturers monetizing user data as an additional revenue stream. For example, Vizio made more revenue from monetizing consumer data via Platform+ than from selling televisions in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.vizio.com/news/news-details/2021/VIZIO-HOLDING-CORP.-Reports-Q3-2021-Financial-Results/default.aspx|title=Vizio Q3 2021 Financial Results|format=press release|publisher=VIZIO|access-date=30 Jan 2025|date=9 Nov 2021}}</ref>
*It aligns with a broader industry trend of TV manufacturers monetizing user data as an additional revenue stream. For example, [[Vizio]] made more revenue from monetizing consumer data via Platform+ than from selling televisions in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.vizio.com/news/news-details/2021/VIZIO-HOLDING-CORP.-Reports-Q3-2021-Financial-Results/default.aspx|title=Vizio Q3 2021 Financial Results|format=press release|publisher=VIZIO|access-date=30 Jan 2025|date=9 Nov 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208204253/https://investors.vizio.com/news/news-details/2021/VIZIO-HOLDING-CORP.-Reports-Q3-2021-Financial-Results/default.aspx |archive-date=8 Dec 2025}}</ref>


==Data Collection Practices==
==Data collection practices==
The LG G3 OLED includes a feature known as '''Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)''', branded as '''Live Plus'''<ref name="consumer-reports" />, which:
The LG G3 OLED includes a feature known as '''Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)''', branded as '''Live Plus,'''<ref name="consumer-reports" /> which:


*'''Monitors all content displayed on the TV''', including streaming services, cable, and external devices.
*Monitors all content displayed on the TV, including streaming services, cable, and external devices.
*'''Transmits viewing data to LG’s servers''', where it is analyzed and used for targeted advertising.
*Transmits viewing data to LG's servers, where it is analyzed and used for targeted advertising.
*'''Utilizes collected data for content recommendations and ad targeting.'''<ref name="the-markup" />
*Utilizes collected data for content recommendations and ad targeting.<ref name="the-markup" />


According to the [[LG Electronics|LG]] '''California Privacy Policy''', personal data is '''sold by default''' unless the user explicitly opts out:
According to the [[LG]] California Privacy Policy, personal data is '''sold by default''' unless the user explicitly opts out:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"As a California resident, you have the right to 'opt out,' or to direct us to stop selling or otherwise sharing your personal information with third parties in exchange for monetary or other valuable consideration."<ref name="lg-caprivacy" />
"As a California resident, you have the right to 'opt out,' or to direct us to stop selling or otherwise sharing your personal information with third parties in exchange for monetary or other valuable consideration."<ref name="lg-caprivacy" />
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


==Opt-Out Process==
==Opt-out process==
Disabling data collection requires the user to follow a '''27-click process''', navigating through multiple menus<ref name="the-markup" />:
Disabling data collection requires the user to follow a '''27-click process''', navigating through multiple menus<ref name="the-markup" />:


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This intentionally cumbersome process can result in users remaining opted in who would otherwise not consent to this practice. Industry research confirms that many smart TVs employ similar tactics to keep consumers from opting out of data tracking.<ref name="consumer-reports" />
This intentionally cumbersome process can result in users remaining opted in who would otherwise not consent to this practice. Industry research confirms that many smart TVs employ similar tactics to keep consumers from opting out of data tracking.<ref name="consumer-reports" />


==Industry Comparison==
==Industry comparison==
LG’s data collection practices are part of a '''wider industry trend'''. Other major smart TV manufacturers engage in similar behaviors:
LG's data collection practices are part of a '''wider industry trend'''. Other major smart TV manufacturers engage in similar behaviors:
*'''Samsung''' – Uses "Viewing Information Services" to track content watched and target ads.<ref name="consumer-reports" />
*[[Samsung]] – Uses "Viewing Information Services" to track content watched and target ads.<ref name="consumer-reports" />
*'''Vizio''' – Previously fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-consumers|title=FTC vs. Vizio, 2017|publisher=Federal Trade Commision (FTC)|language=en|format=press release|access-date=30 Jan 2025}}</ref>
*[[Vizio]] – Previously fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Feb 2017 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317153711/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=17 Mar 2026 |access-date= |website=FTC |publisher=Federal Trade Commision (FTC) |language=en |format=press release}}</ref>
*'''Roku''' – Default settings enable personalized ad tracking and data collection, making opt-out difficult.<ref name="the-markup" />
*[[Roku]] – Default settings enable personalized ad tracking and data collection, making opt-out difficult.<ref name="the-markup" />


==Consumer Impact==
==Consumer impact==
The LG G3 OLED’s '''pre-enabled data collection''' raises concerns about consumer rights:
The LG G3 OLED's pre-enabled data collection raises concerns about consumer rights:
*'''Loss of Privacy''': Users’ viewing habits are tracked without clear, upfront disclosure.<ref name="consumer-reports" />
*Loss of privacy: Users' viewing habits are tracked without clear, upfront disclosure.<ref name="consumer-reports" />
*'''Difficult Opt-Out''': LG TV owners must take deliberate action to disable tracking, often without clear guidance.<ref name="the-markup" />
*Difficult opt-out: LG TV owners must take deliberate action to disable tracking, often without clear guidance.<ref name="the-markup" />
*'''Blurred Ownership Rights''': The TV functions as a data collection device rather than simply a television, raising questions about whether consumers truly "own" their devices or are just leasing them while providing data as a form of payment.<ref name="lg-caprivacy" />
*Blurred ownership rights: The TV functions as a data collection device rather than simply a television, raising questions about whether consumers truly "own" their devices or are just leasing them while providing data as a form of payment.<ref name="lg-caprivacy" />


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:LG]]
[[Category:LG]]
[[Category:LG G3 OLED]]
[[Category:LG G3 OLED]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
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