LG Television sale of personal data: Difference between revisions
Created page with "{{Infobox Incident | title = LG G3 OLED Default Data Collection | image = LG_G3_OLED_Privacy_Settings.jpg | caption = Privacy settings on the LG G3 OLED. By default, data collection is enabled. | date = 2024 | company = LG Electronics | industry = Consumer Electronics, Smart TVs | consumer_rights_violated = Privacy, Data Ownership }} ==Summary== File:LG G3 oled privacy settings.png|alt=The LG G3 OLED defaults to a setting of "do not sell my personal information" b..." Tag: 2017 source edit |
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==Summary== | ==Summary== | ||
[[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.]] | [[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.]] | ||
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>[https://themarkup.org/privacy/2023/12/12/your-smart-tv-knows-what-youre-watching "Your Smart TV Knows What You’re Watching" | 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">[https://themarkup.org/privacy/2023/12/12/your-smart-tv-knows-what-youre-watching "Your Smart TV Knows What You’re Watching"] ''The Markup.'' Retrieved 30 January 2025.</ref>. The TV gathers data on viewing habits and interactions, sharing this information with third-party advertisers<ref>[https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036 "How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features" - Consumer Reports]</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>[https://www.lg.com/us/caprivacy-detail "California Privacy Policy" - LG Electronics US]</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 | *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>[https://investors.vizio.com/news/news-details/2021/VIZIO-HOLDING-CORP.-Reports-Q3-2021-Financial-Results/default.aspx "Vizio Q3 2021 Financial Results"]</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>[https://investors.vizio.com/news/news-details/2021/VIZIO-HOLDING-CORP.-Reports-Q3-2021-Financial-Results/default.aspx "Vizio Q3 2021 Financial Results"]</ref>. | ||
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*'''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 | *'''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 Electronics|LG]] '''California Privacy Policy''', personal data is '''sold by default''' unless the user explicitly opts out: | ||
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==Opt-Out Process== | ==Opt-Out Process== | ||
Disabling data collection requires the user to follow a '''27-click process''', navigating through multiple menus<ref | Disabling data collection requires the user to follow a '''27-click process''', navigating through multiple menus<ref name="the-markup" />: | ||
#Press the '''Settings''' button on the remote. | #Press the '''Settings''' button on the remote. | ||
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*'''Samsung''' – Uses "Viewing Information Services" to track content watched and target ads<ref>[https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036 "How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features" - Consumer Reports]</ref>. | *'''Samsung''' – Uses "Viewing Information Services" to track content watched and target ads<ref>[https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036 "How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features" - Consumer Reports]</ref>. | ||
*'''Vizio''' – Previously fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent<ref>[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 "FTC vs. Vizio, 2017"]</ref>. | *'''Vizio''' – Previously fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent<ref>[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 "FTC vs. Vizio, 2017"]</ref>. | ||
*'''Roku''' – Default settings enable personalized ad tracking and data collection, making opt-out difficult<ref | *'''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>[https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036 "How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features" - Consumer Reports]</ref>. | *'''Loss of Privacy''': Users’ viewing habits are tracked without clear, upfront disclosure<ref>[https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036 "How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping Features" - Consumer Reports]</ref>. | ||
*'''Difficult Opt-Out''': LG TV owners must take deliberate action to disable tracking, often without clear guidance<ref | *'''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>[https://www.lg.com/us/caprivacy-detail "California Privacy Policy" - LG Electronics US]</ref>. | *'''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>[https://www.lg.com/us/caprivacy-detail "California Privacy Policy" - LG Electronics US]</ref>. | ||