Samsung has announced that it will ban smart TV applications that secretly share users’ internet connections with third parties after new cybersecurity research revealed that several popular apps contained residential proxy software capable of turning televisions into internet relay points.
The decision follows research by Norwegian cybersecurity firm Mnemonic, which found that some apps available through Samsung’s Smart TV app store contained code that allows outsiders to route internet traffic through users’ home networks. Some of the affected apps reportedly claim to have been installed on hundreds of millions of Samsung smart TVs worldwide.
Security Research Exposes Hidden Internet Sharing
According to Mnemonic, several Smart TV apps contained software that creates what is known as a residential proxy network. Once activated, the technology allows external users to route their internet traffic through another person’s home internet connection.
One of the apps identified was a simple Pac-Man game that had previously been featured in Samsung’s Editor’s Choice section.
Researchers explained that many of these applications are little more than lightweight shells that load content from external websites. Because of this, app reviews may only inspect the limited code submitted to Samsung rather than the content and functionality delivered remotely after installation.
Mnemonic researcher Harrison Sand noted that “what was reviewed is not necessarily what is running.”
Samsung Moves to Remove Affected Apps
After the findings were made public, Samsung confirmed it is taking action to prevent apps containing residential proxy technology from appearing on its platform.
The company said it has already blocked new app submissions that include proxy…
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