Residential Proxy SDKs Found in LG and Samsung Smart TV Apps

A recent scan of 6,038 apps on LG and Samsung smart TVs revealed that 2,058 of these apps contain residential proxy SDKs. Specifically, 42.5% of LG webOS apps and 26.9% of Samsung Tizen apps were identified as having this software, which can send users' internet traffic through their connections. This poses a significant privacy risk as users may not be aware that their IP addresses are being sold. The apps often present themselves as benign, such as fish tanks or clocks, and may only require a one-time consent prompt. The proxy SDKs can continue running even after the app is closed, raising concerns about ongoing data monetization. Companies like Bright Data and Honeygain are implicated in this issue, with many apps appearing to serve as thin wrappers for proxy services. Other platforms, such as Amazon, have prohibited such practices, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.

Key Points: • 2,058 out of 6,038 scanned smart TV apps contain residential proxy SDKs. • 42.5% of LG webOS apps and 26.9% of Samsung Tizen apps are affected. • Users may unknowingly consent to their IP addresses being sold through benign-looking apps.