LG has officially denied allegations that its smart TVs engage in unauthorized surveillance. The controversy began after the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, in collaboration with security researchers MrBruh and uturn, released a two-hour video claiming that LG TVs constantly log and upload user data, even while offline or in standby mode.
The investigation alleged that the devices scan Wi-Fi networks, record audio logs, and sample audio and video inputs to track user viewing habits. According to the report, the TVs identify other devices on local networks, such as phones and printers, and capture audio via microphones even when the devices are powered off, storing data locally for later retrieval.
LG responded by stating that voice data is processed only when the voice button on the remote is held or when the wake word 'Hi LG' is recognized. The company clarified that the far-field voice recognition feature must be activated by the user first, and that audio processing for the wake word occurs on-device and is deleted if no wake word is detected.
LG admitted that its TVs scan for devices on the same network, but described this as a standard function for smart TVs and smart home devices. However, the company did not address specific claims regarding the vulnerabilities mentioned in the video, such as the storing of transcripts in plain text.