Samsung bans smart TV apps that act as residential proxies

Security researchers have discovered that numerous popular apps on Samsung's smart TV platform contain hidden software that can covertly turn the televisions into exit nodes for residential proxy networks, sharing users' home internet connections with outside parties without their full knowledge. The findings, published by the Norwegian cybersecurity firm Mnemonic on August 3, 2026, reveal a systemic vulnerability affecting potentially millions of devices.

The research identified several apps, including a Pac-Man game featured in Samsung's "Editors' Choice" section, that contain code from proxy service providers like Bright Data. When a user opens such an app and accepts a consent screen-often clicked through without reading-the software can activate, routing external web traffic through the household's internet connection. This activity can persist as an "always-on" exit node even after the app is closed, only stopping if the app is completely uninstalled.

Harrison Sand, an offensive security consultant at Mnemonic who analyzed the network traffic, warned the setup creates significant risks. He noted that a single code change on a remote server could theoretically co-opt...