Key Takeaways
- LG smart TVs reportedly continue to collect data even when disconnected from the internet.
- The investigation found that TVs can scan nearby devices and record microphone audio in standby mode.
- ACR technology is used to identify content viewed on the TV, even when not streaming through its apps.
LG smart TVs have been accused of extensively collecting user data, even when the devices are in standby or disconnected from the internet, according to an investigation by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus.
The investigation, which involved collaboration with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, tested retail LG OLED televisions and found that the TVs scanned local networks for nearby devices, including smartphones and smartwatches.
Researchers also discovered that the TVs could record microphone audio while in standby mode, storing the audio files locally and transmitting them after the television reconnects to the internet.
The Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology, which uses samples of audio and video to identify content, was also found to be active on the LG TVs. This means that viewing activity can be tracked even when content is not being streamed through the TV’s own apps.
While ACR is not exclusive to LG, the findings raise significant privacy concerns, as the technology can potentially collect detailed information about users' viewing habits and nearby devices.
This is not the first time LG has faced privacy concerns. In July, Gamers Nexus reported that some LG monitors were automatically installing an application that collected device information and displayed pop-up promotions for LG software and McAfee antivirus.
The resulting criticism reportedly led Microsoft to intervene, with LG eventually disabling the pop-up advertisements. However, the latest investigation highlights ongoing privacy issues with LG's smart TVs.
Critics argue that users may not be fully aware of the extent to which their devices are collecting and transmitting data, even when they believe their devices are inactive or offline.
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