Samsung Smart TVs accused of unauthorized audio monitoring

Security researcher log4j has raised privacy concerns regarding Samsung Smart TVs running the Tizen operating system. The investigation suggests that these devices may continuously analyze ambient noise to create advertising profiles, potentially sharing data with over 400 partner companies.

Key findings indicate that the telemetry system includes counters for specific audio events, such as dog barking and baby crying. While Samsung’s 2025 Vision AI models feature 'Pet Care' and 'Family Care' functions designed to detect these sounds for SmartThings automations, researchers argue that the transmission of these event counts to Samsung’s cloud servers lacks transparency for the user.

Notably, the research suggests that even models without built-in microphones may attempt to access audio by searching for connected Bluetooth devices or soundbars. Additionally, the TVs reportedly use regional neural networks to track user behavior within applications like YouTube, including monitoring skipped advertisements. Samsung has not yet issued a formal response to these allegations.