Electronics giant LG has hit back against widespread viral claims accusing its smart televisions of secretly recording private conversations in users’ homes.
The controversy erupted following an in-depth report published by tech investigative channel Gamers Nexus alongside security researchers.
The investigation alleged that LG smart TVs continuously capture ambient audio – even while in standby mode or disconnected from the internet – and log plain transcripts to send back to company servers.
The researchers claimed these devices essentially act as covert wiretaps, harvesting home network data and scanning nearby Wi-Fi devices.
LG sets the record straight
LG issued a firm denial calling the wiretapping accusations untrue. The company clarified that its televisions process audio solely when a user holds down the remote’s dedicated voice button or intentionally triggers the “Hi LG” hands-free wake word.
According to LG, background audio monitored during standby is analyzed strictly on the physical device to detect the wake word; if no command is detected, the audio is immediately deleted and never saved or transmitted.
Network scanning and data tracking explained
Addressing concerns over home network scanning, LG stated that detecting nearby devices is standard smart TV functionality designed for seamless media casting and smart home integration.
The company emphasized that automatic content recognition (ACR) and interest-based advertising are optional, separate features requiring explicit user opt-in consent.
While tech experts continue to debate user data privacy, LG maintains that its smart TVs do not listen to or store off-command conversations.
