TL;DW: LG is using very weasely wording to misrepresent what they’re doing, and GN calls their bluff (with data and receipts)
this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2026
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I would not be surprised if that opt in is required to use the device.
Gamer's Nexus original vid about that: https://youtu.be/ToP9xfLDSME
Automod put down my own post with that link for some reason.
When I saw this I checked my TV ubiquiti for traffic and sure enough there it was...but blocked by ubiquiti by default... I guess that's a qualified win.
And I have specifically NOT opted in.
I checked my LG TV settings it is actual Opt Out. By deault the options were turned on
I'm pretty sure opting out by itself isn't going to be enough. Mine was still attempting to connect out...
LOL, it's literally in their TOS that it's the TV owner's responsibility to inform others that their voice may be recorded by their TV, and when somebody goes on youtube and informs everybody that their voice may be recorded they freak out.
Normalizing this kind of thing is not okay. It doesn't matter if its in the TOS, it shouldn't be a technology in the first place.
You missed their point entirely
Yeah, and companies aren't notorious for burying heinous shit like this in their TOS so that when they get caught doing it, some idiot will jump up to say "ItS iN tHeIr ToS"
That's such nonsense. We really need some sort of "reasonable person" standard for terms of service. It's common knowledge people don't read them, so companies feel free to insert whatever bullshit they want because why not?
Unless you're advertising your TV's ability to listen to conversations, putting an expectation on me to tell people the walls are listening is not reasonable.
Subscribing to Disney plus does not mean I agree to arbitration if your negligence kills someone at a theme park.
I should not be entered into a one sided irrevocable contract because I bought a TV and plugged it in.
TOS need some serious liability attached if there's illegal stuff in there. Like a bug bounty for lawyers
Just like your FB, TikTok, or Instagram app on your phone, by accepting the terms and using the software, you agree to the privacy violations that come along with it. (At least for now) Though, oddly, Texas (and even more oddly, Ken Paxton) have a lawsuit pending to curtail it.
I made a video on it for my channel if anyone's interested.
I can say, as an LGTV owner, you don't have to opt in and your TV will still work as a TV. You just won't have access to the online features, and knowing how much data you give up by connecting your TV to a wireless network, you shouldn't be giving it network access anyway.
Texas Republicans occasionally get it right, like banning AI for universities that uses category 1 data.
Hell, Abbot vetoed like 4 bills banning hemp derived THC.
A broken clock is right twice a day.
Imagin your TOS being so evil that Texas gets involved.
What did they specifically mean by "opt-in" ? Does simply purchasing the hardware mean you opted in?
It means whatever they want it to. There is no meaningful consequence to their action so it'll keep happening.
I have an LG tv. They ask you to sign a EULA any time the voice command button is pressed on the remote. I hit it by accident sometimes and reject the terms
It’s so fucking annoying how often they ask to spy on you. Very much a dark pattern. Pretty shitty of them. Made me buy an Apple TV so I don’t ever have to use their remote and risk their bullshit.
I will never buy another LG product. Which is sad, because the panel is very nice.
Yeah I’m waiting for the Apple TV refresh for the same reason
.......and you guys don't think apple is doing the same shit? Get a spectre. Dumb tv all the way.
No, an apple is not sending a text transcription of everything you say in its vicinity to the cloud. LG is.
My LG TV is essentially a dumb TV now. Factory reset, no network access allowed. And data privacy has long been part of Apple’s sales pitch, whereas LG will straight up ask in the EULA if they can spy on you and then keep asking every few days. I’m content with my current setup.
There was a post I saw a few days ago where a guy removed the entire wifi board from his TV, and it still worked. Then someone said that LG tv's will actually seek out bluetooth conmections, and try to piggyback off the other device's internet connection.
I just can't see the appeal of owning a smart tv.
My LG TVs have about 6 options in terms and conditions . 2 are required to accept just to have the TV function, they are pretty standard. The remaining are focused on voice authorization, using your info for ads, making an LG account etc. I have never accepted those and my TV works just fine. I don't even have an LG account created.
However, there must have been an update that changed one aspect, I went to use the streamio app, and LG now requires an LG account to update it. I have not been prompted for the same with the standard streaming services. This is probably going to get me to finally use a streaming box. And before anyone jumps on me for not doing that prior, it's due to wife approval factor. I have to make it dead simple, no multiple remotes, no input changes, HDMI cec to auto turn on connected equipment etc.
A Google TV stick.or box will have maximum wife approval factor if you also install Netflix, Prime etc on it, install a custom launcher, and set the TV to auto start to HDMI.
I've been looking at the onn box 4k but need to verify Cec capability. I had a jailbroken fire stick back in the day, but it didn't get the seal of approval so I've been gun shy trying something else.
I have both the regular onn box and the 4k and they do have cec.
Surprise surprise... By default you're opted-in. I dunno probably, I didn't read the article.
It’s technically opt in, but they do the whole “you can’t use most of the TV’s functions unless you opt in, and we’re going to remind you of that every day or two until someone using the TV eventually hits Accept” dark pattern BS.
correct! the opt-in is served to the user in the initial setup, hidden in the user agreement screens… and it takes 5 different steps to turn off
It's dark patterned to be opt-in
It's opt in, but tge article explains that it's nestled among a bunch of eulas that you have to click through, so unless you obsessively check which checkboxes don't have to be checked, you're going to find yourself opted in.
And the default button is ‘select all’
That means it's opt-out.
That is called opt-out though.
I didn't read it to but probably mandatory otherwise you can not use the tv
You don't have to opt in to anything. Even if you use the tv as a dumb disply with hdmi only it still spies on you.
And then there are your neighbours' tvs to still spy on you too.
While the evidence shows that they are still gathering data even if opted out and upload it all once they are connected again? And that they also connect to other LG TVs in the area for that?