LG residential proxy ban: Smart TV Apps Barred from Proxy Use

LG Electronics USA announced an immediate ban on residential proxy functionality in its webOS smart‑TV apps, a move the industry calls the LG residential proxy ban. The decision follows a Reuters-cited study by security firm Spur that found ↓ 42% of downloadable LG apps embed SDKs turning the TV into a permanent proxy node, while over ↓ 25% of Samsung Tizen apps show similar behavior.

LG residential proxy ban: why it matters

LG senior vice‑president John Taylor told KrebsOnSecurity that developers who do not strip the proxy component will see their apps suspended, emphasizing a “zero‑tolerance” stance.

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

Monetisation schemes typically pay developers to embed proxy SDKs from providers such as Bright Data, which dominate the market. Consumer‑rights groups warn that one‑time consent prompts buried in games or screensavers offer no real transparency, especially for minors. LG says its app‑review pipeline is now “well underway” to purge the offending code.