LG Smart TVs Log User Data Even When Offline, Report Claims

LG smart televisions have been found to log and upload extensive user data, including information about their home Wi-Fi networks and audio recordings, even when the devices are offline or in standby mode. The findings stem from a recent investigation conducted by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, in collaboration with other tech YouTubers and independent security researchers.

Testing of retail LG OLED models revealed that the TVs actively scan local Wi-Fi networks for nearby devices. Furthermore, the internal microphones record audio logs, and the television sets utilize audio and video sampling to identify content being viewed, regardless of the input source. This data collection process appears to be nearly constant, according to the report.

The investigation detailed how the TVs examine connected networks for hardware such as phones. While the precise nature and extent of the data uploaded to LG's servers were not fully detailed in the initial report, the findings raise significant privacy concerns regarding the constant surveillance capabilities of these smart devices.

LG has not yet publicly responded to the allegations. The study highlights broader concerns about data privacy in the realm of smart home devices and the potential for extensive data harvesting by manufacturers, even when users believe their devices are inactive.