LG Bans Residential Proxy Apps on Smart TVs Amid Security Surge

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LG Electronics USA announced it will purge residential proxy SDKs from its webOS app store, effectively banning apps that turn smart televisions into always‑on proxy nodes. The decision follows a Reuters-cited study by security firm Spur that found ↓ 42% of LG‑available apps embed such code, while a similar ↓ 25% of Samsung Tizen apps do the same.

Why LG’s Ban on Residential Proxy Apps Matters

Senior Vice President John Taylor told KrebsOnSecurity that developers who do not strip the proxy option will see their apps

“suspended”

from the store. “A residential proxy network is not an intended use for LG smart TVs,” Taylor said in an emailed statement.

Developers have been paid by proxy providers—most notably Bright Data—to embed SDKs that monetize user devices by renting them as residential exit points. These SDKs have appeared in everything from casual games to screensavers, often hidden behind a one‑time consent prompt.

Bright Data, when reached for comment, cited a second PwC audit and claimed its network operates on “consent and responsibility.” AP News previously reported similar practices across other consumer electronics.

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The broader risk, according to Spur’s Trevor Sutter, is that consent is obtained from household members who may not understand the implications, including minors. He warned that a single prompt “is not a substitute for meaningful transparency, ongoing control, and platform oversight.”

LG’s crackdown arrives as the company faces criticism over unrelated software bundles that auto‑install McAfee offers on high‑end monitors, a controversy highlighted by the Gamers Nexus investigation.

As the industry tightens standards, consumers can expect stricter vetting of app submissions and clearer disclosures—an effort LG says is “well underway.” The move also reflects heightened vigilance after the pandemic exposed supply‑chain and software‑security weaknesses across connected devices.

Intel provided by Dr. Aris Thorne (Artificial Intelligence Researcher).