LG televisions have been accused of collecting extensive amounts of user data, including information about nearby devices and Wi-Fi networks, following an investigation by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus.

The investigation, carried out by Gamers Nexus in partnership with fellow YouTube channel Level1Techs and cybersecurity researchers MrBruh and uturn, examined the data collection and security capabilities of LG smart TVs.

Gamers Nexus claims the televisions it tested were logging data and communicating information back to LG, with some activity allegedly continuing while TVs were in standby.

More seriously, the researchers said they identified software vulnerabilities that allowed them to access on-device microphones and record audio.

According to Gamers Nexus, the vulnerabilities could potentially be exploited to turn affected televisions into “covert listening devices”. The channel said the security issues it discovered were being reported through the appropriate channels.

The investigation also found that the TVs tested were able to scan local Wi-Fi networks and identify other devices connected to them.

Gamers Nexus linked much of the data collection it observed to Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), technology used by smart TVs to recognise what is being watched and provide viewing information that can be used for areas including advertising.

The investigation claims LG TVs can collect information including a user’s IP address, geographic location and details about Wi-Fi networks and other devices on the local network.

Gamers Nexus also highlighted comments previously made by representatives of LG Ad Solutions in corporate material.

In one clip featured in the investigation, an LG representative said: “We know who is in the LG household. We know which devices are there.”

Another LG Ad Solutions representative is shown saying: “We own the glass”, while discussing the company’s ability to reach consumers through connected televisions.

The investigation also questioned figures published by LG Ad Solutions relating to its ability to identify hundreds of millions of “addressable secondary devices” in the US.

The Gamers Nexus video has attracted more than four million views at the time of writing this story (10 September).

LG has strongly denied the claims by the Youtube channel, and in a statement to Tom’s Hardware said:

This is to provide LG’s position regarding the claims recently raised by the Gamers Nexus YouTube channel.

The claims made in the recently published video are not true. LG TVs process voice data only when the voice button on the remote control is pressed and held, or when a wake word such as ‘Hi LG’ is recognized after the user has activated the Far-Field voice recognition feature. Other than these instances, the TVs do not collect or record ambient conversations. (If the wake word is not recognized, no voice data is transmitted to the server; the audio processing for wake word detection is performed locally on the device and is immediately deleted.)

Additionally, to provide smart TV functionalities, LG TVs feature the ability to scan for and connect to nearby devices on the same network. This is a standard function commonly provided by smart TVs and smart home devices.

The ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) feature is provided on an opt-in basis to deliver personalized content recommendation, services, and advertisements. If a user does not consent to the applicable optional agreement, ACR data is not used for advertising purposes.

Topic by topic breakdown:

At LG Electronics, we are committed to transparency and secure user experience. To clarify recent concerns and reiterate our commitment, we would like to emphasize the following points:

  • Protecting Voice Privacy: We ensure that your LG TV does not collect, record or transmit ambient conversations in your home, unless voice functionality has been intentionally activated by the user.
  • Far-Field Voice Recognition (“Hi LG”): This feature must be manually activated by the user before the TV begins listening for the specific wake word. Audio processing occurs only when voice functionality has been activated by the user and a wake work (such as “Hi LG”) is detected.
  • Standby Mode Operation: When the TV is in standby mode and appears to be turned off, it only monitors for the wake word if you have previously enabled the Far-Field feature. If no wake word is detected, the audio used for wake word detection is processed locally on the TV, promptly deleted, and is not transmitted to LG servers.
  • Transparent and Useful Connectivity: LG TVs can identify compatible devices on the same network to enable features such as device connectivity, content sharing or smart home functionality.
  • Proactive and Continuous Security: Data security is a top priority for LG. We continuously monitor our platform and partner with independent security experts to identify vulnerabilities and deliver timely security updates.
  • Full Control Over Data and Terms: LG Electronics is committed to providing transparency and rejecting deceptive practices (dark patterns), ensuring users can choose their preferred privacy and consent options directly through their TV settings.
  • Consent-Based Activation: To provide a more tailored and convenient experience, LG TVs offer Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) to enhance viewing experiences, Voice Recognition for hands-free control, and Interest-Based Advertising to deliver relevant advertisements. Each feature requires separate explicit user opt-in consent and can be disabled at any time through the TV settings.

The claims are particularly relevant as smart TVs increasingly become connected hubs within consumers’ homes, raising further questions around how manufacturers collect and use data generated by connected devices.

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