LG Denies Continuous Recording Claims About Smart TVs

Earlier this week, independent security researchers and technology reviewers Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs reported that LG smart TVs appear to log and upload user data, including audio snippets, to LG’s servers. Their investigations, which involved capturing network traffic from a range of LG models, revealed that the devices store extensive logs locally and periodically transmit them to the manufacturer. The findings were amplified by a series of articles in The Verge that highlighted the potential privacy implications of the TVs’ data‑collection practices.

In response, LG issued a statement asserting that its smart TVs do not continuously record or transmit users’ conversations and that wake‑word detection is performed entirely on the device. The company emphasized that the term “continuously” was a source of misunderstanding, noting that the TVs only record audio when the voice‑activation feature is engaged and that any data sent to LG is limited to non‑personal information. LG also said it is reviewing the concerns raised by the reviewers and will provide additional clarification on its data‑handling policies.

The company’s rebuttal comes amid growing scrutiny of smart‑home devices and their privacy practices. While LG maintains that its TVs operate with local voice‑processing and limited data transmission, the independent tests suggest that users may still be subject to more extensive logging than the manufacturer claims. Further investigation and transparency from LG will be needed to resolve the discrepancy between the company’s statements and the researchers’ findings.