My TV has suddenly started to interpret voice commands as if I was speaking Russian. Users on Samsungs community forum are reporting the same issue. There are users on Reddit who are also reporting the same issue.

A quick google search shows that this is worldwide, and that it started somewhere between 3-5 days ago.

What the hell is going on, Samsung?

(I am not seeking tech support or advice, just raising awareness to what is hopefully a benign problem.)

  • ultranaut@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    This is one of those valuable life lessons you hopefully only have to learn once. Trusting Samsung or your TV with internet access is never a good idea.

    • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
      0·
      2 days ago

      Broadly-speaking, I think that mixing microphones or cameras with remotely-connected devices is also kind of asking for trouble.

      The fact that both Ukraine and Russia have en-masse compromised security cameras for reconaissance and also both tried to get population in their own affected areas to stop using network-connected cameras seems like a really prime piece of evidence.

      https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/ukrainian-authorities-shut-down-a-couple-of-residential-cameras-used-to-coordinate-the-january-2-attack-on-capital

      That’s also why video captured by webcams can be used to obtain strategic information and why Ukraine has been warning people to stop the online broadcast of such devices. According to a report iby SSU, Russian hackers took over a couple of residential webcams in Kyiv and used the information in the January 2 attacks.

      While this might seem like an improbable scenario, it turns out that it’s a common attack tactic that’s been deployed often during the conflict. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, the SSU has blocked the operation of more than 10,000 IP cameras that could have been used to spy on defenses.

      https://therecord.media/russia-calls-for-restrictions-on-surveillance-cameras-dating-apps-kursk

      Russia calls for restrictions on surveillance cameras, dating apps in cities under attack from Ukraine

      Russian authorities are warning residents in regions at risk of Ukrainian offensives to stop using surveillance cameras and dating apps out of fear that they could be used for intelligence gathering.

      According to a statement from Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), Ukrainian forces are remotely connecting to unprotected CCTV cameras, “viewing everything from private yards to roads and highways of strategic importance.”

      If people can break into these all over during wartime, they’re probably also vulnerable in peacetime.

    • єχтяαναgαηтєηzумє@lemm.eeEnglish
      0·
      2 days ago

      Chubbyemu all damn day! If anyone is unfamiliar, do yourself a favor and get nerdy with Dr. Hsu. He’s a clinical pharmacist and toxicologist, which gives him an solid knowledge base to breakdown medical case studies in a very detailed yet simple way. Highly recommended!

      • Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        2 days ago

        Shit, I came to REEEEEE in a post too. I see I’m not alone.

        I’m gonna actually make a useless one though that OP will surely see after they present 👆to the thread.

        I have a S95. Already on an adventure after a repair (grr) and my remote changed behaviour today. That’s all I can say though, I can’t enter system to setup, and voice isn’t setup anyway. Probably unrelated. But I was here and saw Chubbyemu so yeah.

        When/if anyone is ever in a more lecture-y learning mood/need/just-likes-whiteboard - I can’t speak highly enough of Medicosis Perfectionalis. He has some paid stuff - I’m not here to shill that - there’s enough free stuff to entertain and teach and he’s a cut above. It is “whiteboard” stuff but if that’s your kink or you need to learn something for fun or school or work nothing on YouTube is better for me. Like if someone out there has to relive the mitochondria the powerhouses of the cell at any level because of a midlife crisis.

  • NegativeLookBehind@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    The TV turns on,

    presenting to the living room a Cyrillic text.

    But, why?

    'It wasn’t like this 3 days ago! ’ OP exclaimed, as they feverishly searched the internet for answers.

  • Nurse_Robot@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    2 days ago

    A man’s TV started interpreting English as Russian.

    “Surely this is just temporary,” the TV thought. “This won’t last forever,” it thought.

    Lucky, the TV made a recovery.