Is Your LG TV Listening To You? New Investigation Raises Fresh Privacy Questions

A new investigation by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus has raised serious privacy concerns over LG smart TVs, alleging that some models can scan home networks, track viewing habits and capture audio even when the TV appears to be switched off. LG has strongly denied the allegations, saying its TVs do not secretly record ambient conversations.

Gamers Nexus worked with Level1Techs and independent security researchers to examine retail LG OLED televisions, including newer models. Using network traffic analysis and software inspection, the team said the TVs could scan local networks and identify nearby devices such as phones, computers, printers and smartwatches. Researchers also said the TVs collected information about nearby Wi Fi networks, including details that could help identify a household's connected devices.

The investigation also focused on Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), a technology that can identify what users watch across streaming services and content played through connected inputs. Gamers Nexus said this data could help create detailed household profiles and may be linked to advertising activity involving LG Ad Solutions. LG has publicly promoted ACR as part of its connected TV advertising business.

The most serious allegation concerns the built in microphone. Researchers claimed some TVs could capture audio while in standby, store it locally and potentially upload it after an internet connection was restored. They also reported a potential security vulnerability that could increase the risk of remote access, although technical details were reportedly withheld while the issue was being handled responsibly.

LG rejected these claims. The company said voice data is processed only when users hold the voice button on the remote or activate far field voice recognition and the TV recognizes a wake word such as “Hi LG”. It said unrecognised wake word audio is processed locally and immediately deleted, while ambient conversations are not collected or recorded.

LG also said device scanning is a standard smart TV function used to connect with nearby devices. It maintained that ACR, voice recognition and interest based advertising require user consent and can be disabled through settings. LG's support documentation also confirms that voice recognition features can be enabled or disabled depending on the model.

The controversy follows a separate LG monitor advertising controversy earlier this year. Gamers Nexus reported that certain LG monitors could trigger installation of LG software on Windows PCs that displayed McAfee pop up ads. Microsoft later said LG had agreed to disable the McAfee advertising.