A recent video by YouTuber tfm55x has gained attention for its radical approach to addressing privacy concerns with LG smart televisions. In a video titled “This LG G6 OLED Glass Belongs to Me! It’s not spying on me anymore,” tfm55x details the process of dismantling his new LG TV to manually remove its Wi-Fi, microphone, and Bluetooth antennas.
The action was reportedly inspired by a detailed report from Gamer's Nexus, which highlighted how LG TVs might secretly record conversations, scan home networks, and continue data collection even when disconnected from the internet. The Gamer's Nexus report also included statements from LG executives suggesting that customers do not fully "own the glass" of the display.
Tfm55x expressed his dissatisfaction with LG's alleged data collection practices, stating that he refused to pay for a television that would then monitor his activities. He explained that his initial plan to isolate the TV on a private virtual network would likely not have been sufficient to prevent spying, prompting the physical removal of the components.
The video of the disassembly and component removal has resonated with viewers, with many comments expressing support for tfm55x's actions and commiserating about the state of tech privacy. A follow-up video posted by tfm55x confirmed that the television continues to function correctly after the hardware modifications, without the suspected data collection capabilities.