LG Moves to Ban Residential Proxy Apps on Its Smart TVs

LG Electronics USA announced it will suspend any webOS applications that embed a residential proxy SDK, effectively banning residential proxy functionality from its Smart TV ecosystem.

Residential proxy SDKs under scrutiny

A Spur security study revealed that ↓ 42% of LG’s downloadable apps contain code that turns a TV into an always‑on proxy node, while more than ↓ 25% of Samsung Tizen apps show similar behavior. LG senior vice‑president John Taylor told Reuters the company is working with developers to strip the unwanted feature, warning that non‑compliant apps will be pulled.

“A residential proxy network is not an intended use for LG smart TVs,” Taylor said.

The move follows mounting criticism that users unwittingly expose their home networks to third‑party traffic, a risk amplified when consent screens appear to children or other household members. Bright Data, the dominant proxy provider identified in the report, argues its service operates on “consent and responsibility,” citing a recent PwC audit. Critics argue a one‑time opt‑in prompt does not satisfy transparency standards, especially given the surge in remote work and the lingering effects of the pandemic on device usage. LG says its app‑review process is “well underway” and will tighten scrutiny to keep residential proxy SDKs out of future releases.