LG Defends Smart TVs Amid Audio Surveillance Allegations
LG has rejected allegations that its smart televisions can record ambient conversations while on standby and store audio for later transmission. The company’s response follows an investigation by Gamers Nexus, Level1Techs and independent security researchers into LG TVs’ data-collection practices.
Researchers Raise Privacy Concerns
The investigation claimed researchers were able to capture audio through an LG television while it was in hibernation. They also said the devices could collect information about local networks, including connected phones, smartwatches and other devices.
Researchers further alleged that some audio could be stored locally, converted into text and potentially transmitted when the television reconnects to the internet. Al Jazeera noted that these claims have not been independently verified.
LG Rejects the Allegations
LG said voice data is only recorded when users activate the voice function, such as by pressing the remote’s voice button or using the “Hi LG” wake word after enabling voice recognition. The company said audio is immediately deleted when the wake word is not recognised.
LG also defended its network-scanning function as a standard smart-TV feature used for connectivity. It said Automatic Content Recognition, voice recognition and interest-based advertising require explicit user consent and can be disabled through the television’s settings.
The controversy has renewed broader concerns about how smart TVs collect household data and how clearly manufacturers explain these practices to consumers.
