Stolen Samsung Smart TVs Carry Risk of Remote Bricking
Warning to QLED thieves: Samsung unveiled on Tuesday that their QLED TVs can be rendered inoperable remotely if the company detects they've been pilfered, as long as the pilFERed sets are internet-connected.
Referred to as "Samsung TV Lock," this feature was initially revealed in a press statement earlier this month, issued following a wave of warehouse robberies instigated by turmoil in South Africa. In the press statement, Samsung indicated that the technology is "already pre-installed on all Samsung TV products," and states that it "ensures that the television sets can only be utilized by their rightful owners, with legitimate proof of purchase."
TV Lock activates when an individual utilizing a pilFERED television connects it to the internet, which is a requirement for operating smart TVs. Once connected, the television's serial number communicates with the Samsung server, leading to a blocking mechanism that incapacitates the TV's functions.
Although the press statement mentions the blocking functionality solely in relation to TVs stolen from Samsung's warehouse, the protection could potentially extend to individual consumers who've had their TVs pilFERed and report the device's serial number to Samsung. However, there's no information available as to whether or not Samsung currently intends to offer remote blocking capabilities to customers who've had their TVs pilFERed and seek to disable them themselves. (It's safe to assume that the idea of a multitude of users contacting Samsung to report that they've accidentally locked themselves out of their TVs would give the company a rash.)
If a TV is inadvertently locked, Samsung stated that functionality can be restored as soon as a user provides valid proof of purchase and shares their TV's license with a "legitimate retailer." (If you encounter this issue, the company suggests on its website that you send those proof of purchase documents to [[email protected]] for assistance.)
The tech industry is continually innovating to enhance security, as demonstrated by Samsung's future technology, which allows them to render stolen QLED TVs inoperable remotely when connected to the internet. This forward-thinking technology, known as Samsung TV Lock, is pre-installed in all Samsung TV products, ensuring that only the rightful owners can use them.
