LG: Difference between revisions
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| | {{CompanyCargo | ||
|Description=South Korean technology conglomerate best known for kitchen and laundry appliances and personal electronics. | |||
| Founded = 1947 | |Founded=1947 | ||
| Industry = Electronics | |Industry=Electronics | ||
| | |Logo=LG.png | ||
|ParentCompany= | |||
|Type=Public | |||
|Website=https://lg.com | |||
}} | }} | ||
[[wikipedia:LG|'''LG Corporation''']] is a South Korean electronics and home-appliance chaebol (or mega corporation). They make microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, cell phones (until 2021), TVs, speakers, drives for Blu-ray Disk, CD, and DVD, computer components and peripherals, and other electronics. | [[wikipedia:LG|'''LG Corporation''']] is a South Korean electronics and home-appliance chaebol (or mega corporation). They make microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, cell phones (until 2021), TVs, speakers, drives for Blu-ray Disk, CD, and DVD, computer components and peripherals, and other electronics. | ||
Founded in 1947, the company is currently worth over 9.9 billion USD in market cap.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Market capitalization of LG Electronics |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/lg-electronics/marketcap/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=companiesmarketcap.com}}</ref> | Founded in 1947, the company is currently worth over 9.9 billion USD in market cap.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Market capitalization of LG Electronics |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/lg-electronics/marketcap/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=companiesmarketcap.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212071254/https://companiesmarketcap.com/lg-electronics/marketcap/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
{{ | |||
==Consumer-impact summary== | |||
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable): | |||
* User freedom | |||
* User privacy | |||
* Business model | |||
* Market control}} | |||
==Incidents== | |||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | |||
===Sued by Texas state over ACR data collection (''2025 - Present):''=== | |||
{{Main|Texas Attorney General sues multiple TV makers over ACR user data collection}} | |||
On 15 December 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against LG,<ref name="petition-lg">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=State of Texas v. LG Electronics USA, Inc., Original Petition |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/LG%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260207231437/https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/LG%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf |archive-date=7 Feb 2026}}</ref> alleging that the manufacturer failed to adequately disclose data collection capabilities of {{Wplink|automatic content recognition}} (ACR) technology in their smart televisions<ref name="arstechnica">{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2025 |title=Texas sues biggest TV makers, alleging smart TVs spy on users without consent |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260214045721/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/texas-sues-biggest-tv-makers-alleging-smart-tvs-spy-on-users-without-consent/ |archive-date=14 Feb 2026}}</ref>. The lawsuit, filed under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allege that ACR technology captures screenshots of television displays at frequent intervals and that the resulting viewing data is sold to advertisers and data brokers without meaningful consumer consent.<ref name="txag-main">{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2025 |title=Attorney General Paxton Sues Five Major TV Companies, Including Some with Ties to CCP, for Spying on Texans |url=https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |access-date=January 21, 2026 |publisher=Office of the Texas Attorney General |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221015756/https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
==Controversies== | ==Controversies== | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 45: | Line 61: | ||
|Unsolicited installation of Microsoft Copilot app on Smart TVs | |Unsolicited installation of Microsoft Copilot app on Smart TVs | ||
|2025 | |2025 | ||
|After an update of WebOS, a new Copilot icon showed up on the home screens of LG Smart TVs. It cannot be uninstalled by the user.<ref>{{Cite web |first= | |After an update of WebOS, a new Copilot icon showed up on the home screens of LG Smart TVs. It cannot be uninstalled by the user.<ref>{{Cite web |last=defjam16 |first= |date=2025-12-13 |title=My LG TV’s new software update installed Microsoft Copilot, which cannot be deleted. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1plldqo/my_lg_tvs_new_software_update_installed_microsoft/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251214012802/https://old.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1plldqo/my_lg_tvs_new_software_update_installed_microsoft/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025 |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Reddit}}</ref>Following the online backlash, an LG spokesperson announced in an interview that it would be made possible to remove Copilot in the future, but did not respond when asked when this would be the case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Washenko |first=Anna |date=2025-12-18 |title=LG will let you delete the previously unremovable Microsoft Copilot shortcut on its smart TVs |url=https://www.engadget.com/ai/lg-will-let-you-delete-the-previously-unremovable-microsoft-copilot-shortcut-on-its-smart-tvs-215352944.html |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=engadget |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222110911/https://www.engadget.com/ai/lg-will-let-you-delete-the-previously-unremovable-microsoft-copilot-shortcut-on-its-smart-tvs-215352944.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
|Ongoing | |Ongoing | ||
| | | | ||
| Line 53: | Line 69: | ||
==Violations of smart-home privacy== | ==Violations of smart-home privacy== | ||
Part of the company's appliance division is involved with | Part of the company's appliance division is involved with smart appliances, like microwaves. The company also makes smart OLED TVs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Promotions |url=https://www.lg.com/us/promotions |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[LG]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128181530/https://www.lg.com/us/promotions |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref> | ||
===Implementation=== | ===Implementation=== | ||
The implementation of "smart" LG devices come with the following features:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=18 Jul 2024 |title=This LG washing machine sells your personal data 🤦 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suztVz8s7s |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pippig |first=Laura |last2=Lee |first2=Joel |date=15 Oct 2024 |title=Smart TVs are spying on you. How much do manufacturers really know? |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2490054/smart-tvs-are-spying-on-you-how-much-do-manufacturers-really-know.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=PCWorld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anselmi |first=Gianluca |last2=Vekaria |first2=Yash |last3=D'Souza |first3=Alexander |last4=Callejo |first4=Patricia |last5=Mandalari |first5=Anna Maria |last6=Shafiq |first6=Zubair |date=10 Sep 2024 |title=Watching TV with the Second-Party: A First Look at Automatic Content Recognition Tracking in Smart TVs |url=https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.06203 |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=arxiv.org}}</ref> | The implementation of "smart" LG devices come with the following features:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=18 Jul 2024 |title=This LG washing machine sells your personal data 🤦 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suztVz8s7s |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=3suztVz8s7s |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pippig |first=Laura |last2=Lee |first2=Joel |date=15 Oct 2024 |title=Smart TVs are spying on you. How much do manufacturers really know? |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2490054/smart-tvs-are-spying-on-you-how-much-do-manufacturers-really-know.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=PCWorld |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192524/https://www.pcworld.com/article/2490054/smart-tvs-are-spying-on-you-how-much-do-manufacturers-really-know.html |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anselmi |first=Gianluca |last2=Vekaria |first2=Yash |last3=D'Souza |first3=Alexander |last4=Callejo |first4=Patricia |last5=Mandalari |first5=Anna Maria |last6=Shafiq |first6=Zubair |date=10 Sep 2024 |title=Watching TV with the Second-Party: A First Look at Automatic Content Recognition Tracking in Smart TVs |url=https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.06203 |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=arxiv.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217002512/https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.06203 |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
*[[Terms of service]] with the only option being to "accept." | *[[Terms of service]] with the only option being to "accept." | ||
| Line 71: | Line 87: | ||
*LG's "ThinQ" mobile app to remotely control their line of portable air conditioners have a requirement for users to input their full name, email, and birthday in order to access these remote-control features. Further information fields prompted but not required include phone number, location, and address information. | *LG's "ThinQ" mobile app to remotely control their line of portable air conditioners have a requirement for users to input their full name, email, and birthday in order to access these remote-control features. Further information fields prompted but not required include phone number, location, and address information. | ||
*In cases where the OLED TV specifically, not connected to the internet by WiFi or LAN, prompt appears to suggest the user to connect to a network in order to use voice options. This behavior occurs regardless of voice privacy settings set by the user. | *In cases where the OLED TV specifically, not connected to the internet by WiFi or LAN, prompt appears to suggest the user to connect to a network in order to use voice options. This behavior occurs regardless of voice privacy settings set by the user. | ||
*For smart TVs, sign in to an LG account is now mandatory for functions such as downloading and installing apps. From LG support: | *For smart TVs, sign in to an LG [[Forced account|account is now mandatory]] for functions such as downloading and installing apps. From LG support: | ||
<blockquote>Regarding the forced sign-in requirement, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. The sign-in process is designed to enhance your experience by enabling access to personalised features, app downloads, and updates. It also ensures compatibility with various services and apps available on the LG platform.</blockquote> | <blockquote>Regarding the forced sign-in requirement, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. The sign-in process is designed to enhance your experience by enabling access to personalised features, app downloads, and updates. It also ensures compatibility with various services and apps available on the LG platform.</blockquote> | ||
:This seems to be a new requirement and is not present on older TVs. It also does not seem to be related to the "Software Version", but rather the "webOS TV Version". | :This seems to be a new requirement and is not present on older TVs. It also does not seem to be related to the "Software Version", but rather the "webOS TV Version". | ||
:For unknown reasons, the LG sign in process can present an "Invalid terms type" error message. This seems to have been an issue since at least 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Aug 2015 |title=Can't sign in to LG account on TV |url=https://www.avforums.com/threads/cant-sign-in-to-lg-account-on-tv.1973633/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=avforums}}</ref> In combination with the sign in requirement, this renders the smart functions of the TV inoperable. The workaround is to sign up at lg.com first (rather than lgemembers.com), then login to the TV.{{citation needed|reason=A page detailing this would be helpful}} | :For unknown reasons, the LG sign in process can present an "Invalid terms type" error message. This seems to have been an issue since at least 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Aug 2015 |title=Can't sign in to LG account on TV |url=https://www.avforums.com/threads/cant-sign-in-to-lg-account-on-tv.1973633/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=avforums |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250405170128/https://www.avforums.com/threads/cant-sign-in-to-lg-account-on-tv.1973633/ |archive-date=5 Apr 2025}}</ref> In combination with the sign in requirement, this renders the smart functions of the TV inoperable. The workaround is to sign up at lg.com first (rather than lgemembers.com), then login to the TV.{{citation needed|reason=A page detailing this would be helpful}} | ||
==Broader implications== | ==Broader implications== | ||
[[File:LG ThinQ App | [[File:LG ThinQ App account page screenshot.png|thumb]] | ||
This incident represents broader implications: | This incident represents broader implications: | ||