Security researcher known as log4j has identified code within the Tizen operating system used in Samsung televisions that potentially facilitates large-scale user data collection. The findings were shared through a series of posts on the X platform after the researcher observed highly targeted advertisements on his own device.
The discovered mechanisms include telemetry collection, audio data classification, screen capturing, and cross-platform device identification. The researcher also identified an integrated neural network designed to analyze viewer behavior, including tracking video consumption, ad skipping, and playback pauses.
Log4j suggests that the processing of this data might contribute to the reported performance degradation of Samsung TVs. He posits that the devices perform local computations for image and audio analysis, as well as computer vision tasks. However, a direct causal link between the code and system slowdowns remains unproven.
The researcher noted that even televisions lacking built-in microphones may attempt to locate and utilize external audio-capturing devices, such as soundbars or Bluetooth accessories. Log4j is currently preparing a comprehensive report to enable other researchers to independently verify the operation of the Tizen system.
