The United Kingdom's Information Commissioner's Office (the country’s independent agency that examines info rights) told the BBC it was looking into the allegation, made by information technology consultant and blogger, Jason Huntley, who wrote that his LG television was spying on him.
The commission is the country's independent agency that examines information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals, according to its website.
"We have recently been made aware of a possible data breach which may involve LG Smart TVs," a commission spokesman told BBC News. "We will be making inquiries into the circumstances of the alleged breach of the Data Protection Act before deciding what action, if any, needs to be taken."
Huntley told the BBC News that his LG television uploaded information about the content of his devices attached to his TV, as well, breaking the country's law. When he contacted LG, based in South Korea, he was told that he accepted LG's terms and conditions once he purchased the TV and he should complain to the retailer. Jason wrote on his blog -"Earlier this month I discovered that my new LG Smart TV was displaying ads on the Smart landing screen… After some investigation, I found a rather creepy corporate video advertising their data collection practices to potential advertisers.” He went on to write: "In fact, there is an option in the system settings called 'Collection of watching info:' which is set ON by default. This setting requires the user to scroll down to see it and, unlike most other settings, contains no 'balloon help' to describe what it does…”
I was reminded, as I read this of a well-known man (I will call him Willie) telling me his frightening tale of being spied on by our government. We were both attending a Town Hall event in a nearby community. The topic was Obamacare and our local Congressman touted Obamacare and ignored the publics’ demand for answers to questions.
But I digress….
Remember when our government gave digital cable boxes to the masses? “Willie”, told me that he took the box apart, hooked it up to his computer screen and saw himself on the monitor. His assessment was that the boxes were given out so that the government could peer into our lives, our homes, and invade our privacy at will. At the time, I thought he sounded paranoid, but he pointed to the black government vehicle across the street and told me this vehicle followed him everywhere because of his political activism. (He is a Libertarian)
Years ago, I was followed by the FBI, for a crime I didn’t commit. Identity thugs took my id and committed extortion. What a harrowing time….but that’s another story for another time…
In any event, I had no reason to think Willie was lying. But I also am not one to buy into conspiracy theories either. (Just in case, we covered the front of our digital cable box)
Reading about the LG Smart TV today, especially with all the news surrounding NSA spying on American citizens, I am wondering how far governments (our government) will go in keeping tabs on citizens. I live in the United States, where FREEDOM is guaranteed by our Constitution – carefully crafted by our Founders. It is with sadness that I am realizing our freedoms have been hijacked by technology and Big Government.
So I have a warning for all you Smart TV owners: Remember that what you watch CAN and MAY be used against you at some point. Digital Cable boxes may have a camera trained into your private lives, so act accordingly. No hanky-panky, no sitting around in your undies, and no speaking about world leaders in a less than favorable way. Thanks to the Patriot Act, you may just find yourself locked away for espousing your personal views in the “privacy” of your own living room.
Be well!
Debi Devens
dvd@debidevens.com
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