LG Confirms Network Scanning on Smart TVs While Denying Standby Audio Recording
LG Electronics confirmed that its smart TVs scan local networks to identify nearby devices, a behavior it described as standard across the industry. However, the company denied allegations from a Gamers Nexus investigation that its TVs record ambient audio while in standby mode or upload data without user consent. The investigation, conducted with Level1Techs and security researchers, found that LG OLEDs logged location data, Wi-Fi details, and device information, feeding it to LG Ad Solutions. While LG stated that audio is only processed locally unless a wake word is detected, critics argue that the confirmed network scanning and content recognition capabilities raise significant privacy concerns, particularly regarding GDPR compliance in Europe.