Residential proxies found in smart TV apps

What's happened

A security study shows some Samsung and LG TV apps have code that routes user traffic through residential proxies. Samsung has started banning such apps and LG plans to suspend non-compliant ones. The issue extends to other devices and prompts tightening developer policies.

What's behind the headline?

Cutting through the noise

The firms involved are moving to curb risky proxy code in their app stores.
The practice highlights a broader ecosystem problem: third-party SDKs can silently rewire devices.
Readers should understand that a TV can function as a hidden gateway, potentially affecting privacy and security in daily use.

What this means going forward

App stores will screen more aggressively, and developers will need explicit consent and clearer terms for network access.
Consumers should consider reviewing app permissions and disabling nonessential network features on TVs.

Why now

The disclosure follows independent security research that mapped the extent of proxy code in TV apps and named specific vendors.

How we got here

Investigations by Mnemonic reveal that many low-cost TV apps load content from external servers and may secretly turn TVs into proxy nodes. This practice can expose users to cybercrime and data breaches, even when apps are closed.

Our analysis

TechCrunch reports that Mnemonic found resproxy code in a Pac-Man app endorsed by Samsung, which has since pledged to ban such functionality. ZDNet notes LG is also moving to suspend apps using residential proxies after Spur’s findings. Both outlets quote security researchers on the broader risk of proxies being used to route traffic and scrape data.

Go deeper

How can I check if my smart TV has proxy-enabled apps?
What steps should I take to review app permissions on my TV?
Will these moves affect other devices beyond TVs?