LG Responds to Privacy Concerns Over Smart TV Audio and Data Collection
LG has rejected claims that its smart televisions continuously record users’ conversations or secretly transmit ambient audio, following an investigation that raised questions about privacy and data collection on the company’s TVs.
The concerns were highlighted by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, which worked with security researchers to examine LG smart TVs through methods including network traffic analysis and firmware inspection.
Investigation Raises Questions About Privacy Features
According to the investigation, some LG televisions may continue collecting certain types of information even when they are offline or placed in standby mode.
Researchers also reported that the TVs can identify other devices connected to the same home network and detect nearby Wi-Fi networks. The investigation further examined the role of built-in microphones and their potential ability to process ambient audio.
One of the more significant concerns involved the possibility that audio could be processed or stored locally while a television was offline and potentially transmitted once an internet connection was restored.
The researchers also examined Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), a technology used by smart TVs to identify programmes and other content displayed on the screen.
LG Denies Continuous Conversation Recording
LG disputed the main allegations involving continuous audio recording.
In a statement reported by Tom’s Hardware, the company said voice data is processed only in specific situations. These include when a user presses and holds the voice button on the remote or when optional far-field voice recognition is enabled and the TV detects the “Hi LG” wake phrase.
LG said its televisions do not continuously record or collect surrounding conversations outside these situations.
The company also explained that audio processed locally to detect the wake phrase is handled on the television. If no matching command is detected, the data is deleted and is not transmitted to LG’s servers, according to the company.
LG Confirms Network Device Discovery
LG acknowledged that its smart TVs can discover other devices connected to the same local network.
However, the company said this functionality is a standard part of connected-device technology and can support features such as device pairing, media sharing and communication between compatible products.
LG therefore does not consider this network discovery process to be a form of user surveillance.
Automatic Content Recognition Can Be Turned Off
The company also addressed concerns surrounding its ACR technology.
LG said ACR is an optional feature that requires user consent and can be disabled through the TV’s privacy settings.
According to LG, information collected through ACR is not used for advertising purposes unless the user has specifically provided permission for such use.
ACR is also not exclusive to LG. Similar technologies are widely used across the smart TV industry to identify television programmes, streaming content and other material displayed on connected screens.
Some Technical Questions Remain
While LG’s response directly addresses concerns about continuous audio recording, network scanning and ACR, it does not respond in detail to every technical observation made during the Gamers Nexus investigation.
The company maintains that users can control relevant privacy settings and says it continues to monitor and improve the security of its smart TV platform.
The discussion highlights the wider privacy challenges surrounding connected televisions, which increasingly combine traditional TV functions with microphones, internet connectivity, network access and content-recognition technologies.
For consumers concerned about privacy, reviewing available settings and disabling optional data-collection features can provide greater control over how their smart TV handles information.
