Samsung can remotely disable their TVs worldwide using TV Block

silversurfer

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Aug 17, 2014
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Samsung says that it can disable any of its Samsung TV sets remotely using TV Block, a feature built into all television products sold worldwide.
The TV Block function is activated remotely on all TV sets stolen from one of its warehouses or distributors by adding their serial numbers to a list on Samsung's servers.

After a stolen TV is connected to the Internet, the device will check the list of stolen devices on Samsung's servers, and it will automatically disable all television functions if it finds a match.

If Samsung TVs belonging to actual customers get blocked by mistake, full functionality can be restored within 48 hours after sending proof of purchase and a valid TV license to the Samsung retailer or the serv.manager@samsung.com email.

"In keeping with our values to leverage the power of technology to resolve societal challenges, we will continuously develop and expand strategic products in our consumer electronics division with defence-grade security, purpose-built, with innovative and intuitive business tools designed for a new world," Mike Van Lier, Samsung South Africa's Director of Consumer Electronics, said.
"This technology can have a positive impact at this time, and will also be of use to both the industry and customers in the future."

While Samsung says TV Block is an innovative function that can only have a positive impact, one must think about what would happen if malicious actors would breach the company's servers and gain access to the block list used to disable stolen TVs remotely.
 

Hemps

New Member
Mar 11, 2021
6
This was for the TV's looted in South Africa, doesn't really help when most of those TV's will never be connected to the internet.
Any sold might be, but doubtful.
 
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JasonUK

Level 5
Apr 14, 2020
232
Why should incorrectly-blocked customers have to show a TV licence... they may only watch catch-up not live TV? Smacks a bit of big brother, if the state decides you have wrong thought they could leverage this technology negatively if its there.
 
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