LG Denies Continuous Recording by Smart TVs
LG has again responded to allegations that its smart TVs record user conversations in standby mode. The company insists that no continuous recording or transmission of dialogue occurs.
LG has reiterated its denial of claims that its smart televisions continuously record and upload user data, even when in standby mode. These accusations surfaced earlier this month from technology reviewers and independent security researchers.
The company stated in a release that recent media reports may have caused misunderstandings about how LG smart TVs operate. LG asserts that its televisions do not continuously record or transmit user conversations. Voice command activation is processed locally on the device, without data being sent to external servers.
LG further clarified that features such as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) and voice recognition are opt-in for users and are not enabled by default. The company explained that ACR uses the TV's internal audio processor and audio fingerprinting technology to identify content, and does not collect screenshots, screen recordings, videos, or audio recordings from the television.
Despite LG's statements, tests have indicated that an LG TV retained significant logs of ambient conversations even after a voice assistant was expected to have stopped listening. LG did not directly address broader privacy concerns regarding the volume of data collected, data sharing practices, or whether privacy options are presented in a potentially misleading manner.