LG defends smart-TV features amid audio surveillance allegations

What the report says

LG is facing renewed scrutiny over the data its smart televisions collect after an investigative report by Gamers Nexus, Level1Techs and independent security researchers alleged that some TVs could capture audio, retain transcripts and gather information about home networks. The report, published on Monday, prompted questions about whether the devices may store or process more personal data than users expect.

In a statement to Al Jazeera on Wednesday, the South Korean electronics company denied that its TVs listen to ambient conversations or record when left on standby. LG said voice data is processed only when a user activates voice controls, such as by pressing the remote’s voice button or using the “Hi LG” wake word after enabling the relevant feature. The company also said audio is deleted immediately if the wake word is not recognized.

The researchers, however, said they observed behaviour they interpret as broader data collection, including audio capture in hibernation, archived background noise and network scanning that could reveal information about devices connected to a home. The claims were not independently verified by Al Jazeera. Security and privacy experts quoted in the article said the findings raise concerns because televisions can remain in homes for years and may outlast software support.

LG said its voice recognition, automatic content recognition and interest-based advertising tools are separate features that require explicit opt-in consent and can be turned off in settings. The dispute matters because smart TVs increasingly function as connected household hubs, making transparency about what is collected, when it is collected and how long it is kept a central privacy issue.