LG smart TVs continuously log and upload household data—including local Wi-Fi networks, microphone audio, and automatic content recognition feeds—even when devices are placed on standby or disconnected from the internet, according to an investigation published by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus.
Smart television manufacturers have long relied on data collection to track viewing habits, but a new joint technical investigation reveals that modern devices track far more than just what is on the screen. Retail LG OLED televisions actively scan local areas, record ambient audio, and map nearby hardware regardless of whether the screen is powered on or active, according to a report from YouTube channel Gamers Nexus.
Wi-Fi Scanning and Local Network Logging on Retail LG OLEDs
The investigation into LG’s hardware was conducted alongside fellow YouTubers Level1Techs and independent security researchers. Testing on retail LG OLED units revealed that packet captures tracked the smart TVs actively scanning local area networks for nearby hardware, such as smartwatches and smartphones. The devices also logged specific location data and details regarding nearby Wi-Fi networks, feeding that harvested information directly back to LG Ad Solutions, according to the findings reported by Gamers Nexus.
Standby Microphone Audio Recording and Offline Storage
Perhaps more concerningly, the investigation demonstrated that LG smart TVs remained capable of recording microphone audio while in standby mode. This data collection persisted even after researchers disconnected the televisions entirely from the internet. According to the report, the captured audio files were stored locally offline and subsequently uploaded to servers once an active network connection was restored.
Automatic Content Recognition Across Inputs
Beyond ambient listening and network scanning, the TVs utilize Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology. ACR examines audio and video data to precisely identify what viewers are watching across various TV inputs, monitoring both native applications on the smart interface and external content connected via HDMI ports and other physical connections. According to Gamers Nexus, ACR is not unique to LG, as a separate video from RTINGS highlights that almost every smart television manufacturer employs similar tracking methods to log viewer habits.
Prior Scrutiny Over Pop-Up Ads and Automated App Installations
This hardware investigation follows previous public pressure involving LG devices earlier this year. In July, Gamers Nexus flagged that specific LG monitors were automatically installing software applications that collected user device data and displayed pop-up advertisements for additional LG apps and McAfee antivirus software. That public pressure prompted an intervention from Microsoft, which ultimately resulted in LG disabling the pop-up advertisements on those affected displays.
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