LG Shield-Applied TV OS Platform, "webOS"

If a smart TV is used for handling sensitive information such as healthcare, there were concerns about security vulnerabilities in the existing OS. Smart TVs have a higher risk of personal information leakage because security updates are slower or user awareness is lower compared to PCs and smartphones. In addition, privacy protection functions were insufficient for running medical/health apps.

LG Electronics' Shield-Applied webOS platform implements personal information protection at the level of medical information by applying a HW security module and enhanced kernel security to the existing TV OS[54].

For example, security booting, encrypted storage, and app-specific permission management are enhanced, allowing remote medical apps or health monitoring apps to be used safely on smart TVs. While maintaining a convenient UX, various vulnerability patches and security protocols (LGD security framework) have been added internally.

In short, the differentiator is that the reliability has been increased so that smart TVs can be used as a health hub.

The target is individual consumers (B2C) who want to use digital health functions on smart TVs, and institutions that want to use it as a TV for patients in B2B such as hospital waiting rooms and nursing homes. The main distribution method is LG Electronics pre-installing and selling it on TVs.

This security platform has a large ripple effect as it can be applied to LG smart TV lineups worldwide. In addition, LG can expand its smart home security platform business by applying security layers to other IoT device OSs.

However, it is uncertain whether consumers will pay extra for invisible security features, so it is expected to spread first to B2B and premium models.

It is not a striking or fancy innovation, but it is evaluated as having addressed the necessary parts. The CES judging also seems to have recognized the importance of home appliance security in the digital healthcare era.

However, there is also criticism that it is difficult for general consumers to feel the impact, so the market promotion point is weak. Overall, it is being accepted as a meaningful evolution without being over- or under-evaluated.