Your television may be watching more than you are watching it. A new investigation has raised alarming privacy concerns over LG smart TVs, with researchers claiming some sets can collect audio, scan nearby devices and continue gathering data even when the television is on standby.
LG smart televisions are facing intense scrutiny following an investigation that alleges the devices collect extensive information about users and their surroundings, including when the TVs are offline or in standby mode.
The investigation, led by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus in collaboration with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, examined several retail LG OLED television sets.
Researchers reportedly found the TVs scanning local networks for nearby connected devices such as smartphones and smartwatches, while also collecting information about Wi-Fi networks and location data.
The investigation also raised concerns over the TVs’ microphones. Researchers said some tested sets were capable of recording audio while in standby, storing the recordings on the device and uploading them once an internet connection was restored.
Another concern involves Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), technology that can analyse audio and video to determine what viewers are watching, including content from connected devices and different applications. The collected information is linked to LG’s advertising operations and can be used to build detailed profiles of households and their viewing habits.
The findings have sparked a wider debate over privacy and how much control consumers actually have over data collected by smart devices inside their homes.
The controversy is particularly significant because smart TVs are increasingly becoming connected hubs in households, raising questions over whether consumers fully understand what information their devices collect and how that information is used.
For many LG owners, the biggest question is no longer what is playing on the screen,but what the screen could be learning about them.
