[amiga]

The last smart TV I had flashed an annoying light if there were no wifi connection.

Cover the light, I thought!

...the annoying light is adjacent to the IR receiver.

Cover the light, no remote.

Is this intentional?

[tmerc]

Probably not international in context. Most IR receivers go behind a special semi-transparent plastic. That's also the cheapest place to put an LED. I think there are films you can get to block non IR light. Some tvs also have a connection to add an external ir receiver.