Monitors are increasingly pushing ads and tracking users, mirroring smart TV trends

Monitors are increasingly adopting features that mirror the ad-serving and user-tracking practices found in smart TVs, raising privacy concerns among consumers. While monitors were once seen as a privacy-friendly alternative, companies are now integrating ad-pushing software and operating systems that collect user data.

LG, in particular, has drawn criticism for an app called LG Monitor App Installer, which reportedly pushed ads for LG software onto connected computers through driver updates. Although LG states the app does not collect personal information and is intended to provide access to monitor-specific features, the clandestine manner of its installation and the potential for future data collection have raised alarms. Microsoft has since intervened to remove these ads.

The broader trend extends to 'smart monitors' that connect to the internet and run their own operating systems. These devices, from manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Acer, often use operating systems similar to those in smart TVs, potentially enabling Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) and other tracking methods. Privacy policies from these companies indicate that data collected from these devices may be shared with advertisers.

While these smart features can offer convenience, such as performing tasks without a separate computer, the author argues that monitor manufacturers should prioritize technological innovation and improved user experience over intrusive advertising and data collection. The piece suggests that clearer privacy policies, user-friendly setup processes that highlight tracking options, and the continued availability of 'dumb' monitors are crucial to prevent monitors from becoming the next privacy battleground.