LG rebuts allegations of smart TV surveillance and audio capture
LG has refuted claims from an online investigation that its smart TVs continuously log data and record audio. The company acknowledges scanning local networks but states that voice data is only processed when the voice button is pressed or a wake word is recognized. The denial follows a video alleging that 216 million LG TVs are spying on users.
The allegations stem from a two-hour video by Gamers Nexus, produced with security researchers MrBruh and uturn. Their investigation employed packet capture and firmware analysis, alleging the TVs identified nearby devices like phones and printers, and stored data offline for later transmission.
LG countered that voice processing occurs solely when the remote's voice button is held or a wake word is recognized, with that recognition handled locally. The firm also clarified that automatic content recognition is an opt-in feature, while network scanning is a standard smart TV function.
This dispute could heighten consumer wariness about smart home devices, potentially prompting users to disable network features or microphone access. If LG's explanations fail to reassure, trust in major tech manufacturers may erode, leading to stricter regulatory scrutiny of data collection practices. The outcome may influence how other TV makers disclose their own telemetry, shaping industry norms for privacy transparency.