August 12, 2026, 7:37 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Smart TVs are now much more than just devices for watching television. They offer apps, games, and numerous online features. However, this openness can also pose a security risk. In response to warnings from IT security researchers, Samsung is announcing stricter rules for applications in its TV app store.
Security Researchers Discover Hidden Features
The trigger for this is investigations by the cybersecurity company “Mnemonic.” The experts found features in certain apps that were not immediately apparent. According to their reports, certain applications could turn Samsung TVs into so-called residential proxies.
This involves using a household’s internet connection to route the data traffic of other people or systems. For cybercriminals, this can be appealing because it allows the origin of online activities to be obscured. The actual actions then appear to be coming from a regular internet connection.
According to the researchers, it is particularly noteworthy that such features do not have to be active immediately after installation. They can initially exist unobtrusively in the background and be activated later.
TV Networks Warn of the Power of Smart TVs
The Benefits of Enabling Airplane Mode
Samsung Tightens the Rules
Samsung has since responded and announced countermeasures. In the future, apps will no longer be allowed if they can share users’ internet connections with third parties. Additionally, the manufacturer plans stricter guidelines for developers and more thorough application reviews.
With the new rules, Samsung aims to reduce the risk of smart TVs being misused for unauthorized purposes.
Also of interest: OLED, QLED, or LCD TV? Which is the better choice?
The Problem Is Not Limited to Samsung
The security issue is apparently not confined to a single manufacturer. As early as July, LG also announced plans to introduce similar measures. The goal is to identify potentially problematic features in TV apps early and better protect customers.
For TV owners, this primarily means more security in everyday life. Most people do not continuously monitor their network traffic. This is precisely why hidden background processes can often go unnoticed for a long time.