LG Bans Residential Proxy Apps on Its Smart TVs

LG Electronics USA announced it will pull any webOS applications that embed residential proxy SDKs, effectively ending a practice that let televisions function as permanent proxy nodes. The decision follows a Reuters report citing security firm Spur, which found ↓ 42% of LG apps and ↓ 25% of Samsung Tizen apps contain such components.

Why the residential proxy threat matters

These SDKs pay developers to turn users’ devices into rentable bandwidth, often hidden behind a one‑time consent screen in games, screensavers or utilities. Bright Data dominates the market; the firm claims its network operates on “consent and responsibility” and cites a PwC audit.

“A residential proxy network is not an intended use for LG smart TVs, and we are working with developers to remove the option,” senior vice‑president John Taylor told KrebsOnSecurity.

LG warned that any app that fails to strip the proxy code will be suspended, and the company says its review process is “well underway.” The move comes as LG also faces criticism for pre‑installing a McAfee promotion via Windows Update on its premium monitors, a story highlighted by Bloomberg.