LG is responding to a recent investigation that accused some of its smart TVs of listening to conversations and mapping out people’s homes. The company issued a statement that addresses parts of the report, but several privacy researchers say important questions remain unanswered.
What the Investigation Claims to Have Found
The controversy began with a lengthy investigation by the hardware review channel Gamers Nexus, which worked with Level1Techs and independent security researchers. According to the investigation, the team spent more than 500 hours and roughly $70,000 testing LG OLED TVs, including flagship models. The researchers reported that the TVs scanned devices on home Wi‑Fi networks, identifying phones, smartwatches, and other hardware that had no direct connection to the television itself.
Investigators also said they captured background audio under certain conditions even when the TV’s screen appeared to be off, including sounds originating as far as 40 feet away. They reported finding text transcripts stored on devices after a wake‑word interaction should have ended. Those findings, if confirmed, raise concerns about how voice and device‑recognition features are implemented and how long data persists on the TV.
This is not the first time LG has faced scrutiny over tracking and data collection. Earlier in the year, regulators in Texas reached a settlement with LG that required clearer consent before collecting viewing data. Researchers say the recent findings suggest the TVs may be collecting more types of information than that settlement addressed, keeping the debate about smart TV privacy alive.
What LG Says, and What to Check Yourself
In its statement, LG denied that its TVs “continuously record or transmit users’ conversations.” The company says audio is processed only after a wake word is spoken or a voice button on the remote is pressed, and that audio is deleted immediately if no wake word is recognized. LG also emphasized that features related to ad tracking and voice recognition are optional and can be disabled through the TV’s settings.
Privacy experts, however, say the statement leaves some technical details unclear. Researchers highlighted scenarios—such as when a TV is used primarily as a display for a laptop or game console—where tracking or recognition features might still operate in ways users don’t expect. Others pointed out that promising not to use particular data for advertising is not the same as promising not to collect it in the first place.
Regardless of the technical back-and‑forth, consumers can take straightforward steps to regain control over their devices. Open your TV’s settings and look for options labeled voice recognition, content recognition, automatic content identification, or ad personalization. If any of these options are enabled and you prefer not to share that data, turn them off. Also review any privacy or data‑sharing menus to see what categories of information the TV may be collecting.
If you want to avoid potential smart‑TV data collection altogether, consider using an external streaming device such as a set‑top streamer or media player and keep the smart TV’s network connection disabled. Another simple measure is to review and remove any stored voice recordings or transcripts from the TV’s privacy menus where that option is available.
For users concerned about ongoing investigations and future disclosures, keeping firmware up to date is important. Manufacturers frequently release updates that change feature behavior or improve privacy controls. Monitoring official statements from the manufacturer and independent security researchers will help you stay informed if new evidence or clarifications appear.
In short, LG’s statement disputes some of the investigation’s claims but does not resolve every technical or policy concern. Users who want greater privacy should review and adjust their TV’s settings, consider disconnecting the TV from Wi‑Fi when practical, and keep an eye on updates from both the company and independent researchers.