LG Smart TVs accused of recording audio in standby mode

LG Smart TV privacy investigation webOS security Automatic Content Recognition data harvesting

An investigation by Gamers Nexus, Level1Techs, and independent security researchers has raised significant privacy concerns regarding LG Smart TVs, specifically OLED models running webOS. The technical analysis alleges that these devices can capture audio via built-in microphones even when the screen is off or the device is in standby mode. Researchers claim that audio data can be stored locally and transmitted to external servers once an internet connection is re-established.

The study also found that the televisions actively scan local Wi-Fi networks to identify and map connected devices, including smartphones, smartwatches, and printers. Additionally, the devices collect information regarding nearby Wi-Fi networks, such as names and signal strengths. This data, combined with Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology, which analyzes video and audio signatures to identify viewed content, is reportedly used to build detailed user profiles for LG Ad Solutions.

LG has denied the central allegations, stating that its televisions do not record or store ambient conversations. The company maintains that voice processing only occurs when a user holds a remote button or a specific wake word is detected. LG also noted that network discovery is a standard feature intended for smart home connectivity and device functionality.

Entities

Gamers Nexus · LG · LG Ad Solutions · LG AdSolutions · LG Electronics · Level1Techs · webOS

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] Microphones on LG TVs can record audio while the device is in standby mode and store it locally until internet access is restored. www.movieside.de · leaflet.pub · www.it-boltwise.de · www.larazon.es · www.blogspan.net · +5 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology is used to track content viewed via HDMI, USB, and antenna inputs. www.movieside.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.larazon.es · www.blogspan.net · www.generation-nt.com · +6 more
[● 6 SOURCES] LG Ad Solutions claims access to 363 million addressable devices in the United States. www.merca2.es · techplanet.today · www.webtekno.com · www.movieside.de · time.news · +1 more
[● 17 SOURCES] LG TVs scan local networks to identify devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and IP addresses. www.movieside.de · leaflet.pub · www.larazon.es · www.blogspan.net · www.generation-nt.com · +12 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Security researchers identified vulnerabilities in webOS that could allow for remote code execution. www.blogspan.net · www.punto-informatico.it · www.informacija.rs · techplanet.today · www.webtekno.com · +2 more
[● 11 SOURCES] LG OLED televisions, including the G5 model, collect data even when the screen is off or in standby mode. www.movieside.de · leaflet.pub · www.it-boltwise.de · www.larazon.es · www.blogspan.net · +6 more
[● 21 SOURCES] Audio recorded while offline is stored locally on the device and uploaded once an internet connection is restored. www.informacija.rs · www.larazon.es · www.blocktempo.com · www.punto-informatico.it · techplanet.today · +16 more
[● 24 SOURCES] LG TVs scan local networks to identify and map connected devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and printers. www.informacija.rs · www.larazon.es · www.blocktempo.com · www.blogspan.net · www.punto-informatico.it · +18 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Voice search queries, including sensitive information like social security numbers, have been found in unencrypted log files. leaflet.pub · www.blocktempo.com · www.t-online.de · www.punto-informatico.it
[● 20 SOURCES] LG OLED TVs, including the G5 model, can record audio via built-in microphones even when the screen is off or in standby mode. www.informacija.rs · www.larazon.es · www.blocktempo.com · www.blogspan.net · www.punto-informatico.it · +15 more
[● 17 SOURCES] LG Smart TVs can record audio via built-in microphones even when the screen is off or in standby mode. www.informacija.rs · www.movieside.de · www.flatpanelshd.com · leaflet.pub · www.it-boltwise.de · +11 more
[● 3 SOURCES] LG Ad Solutions uses TV activity to infer the behaviors of entire households for advertising purposes. www.dobreprogramy.pl · www.mobzine.ro · www.generation-nt.com