LG TVs Spying on Users Even When Offline or in Standby
▼ Summary
– LG smart TVs continuously log and upload user data, including audio and location information, even when offline or in standby mode.
– An investigation by Gamers Nexus revealed that LG OLEDs scan local networks for devices and send this data to LG Ad Solutions.
– The TVs utilize Automatic Content Recognition to identify watched content via audio and video sampling across all inputs.
– This privacy concern is widespread, as RTINGS notes that most smart TV manufacturers employ similar ACR technologies.
– Previous issues with LG monitors installing adware led to Microsoft intervention and the removal of pop-up ads.
Recent investigations reveal that LG smart TVs are engaged in extensive data collection, capturing information about users and their households even when the devices appear to be offline or in standby mode. According to a detailed report by the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, these televisions continuously scan Wi-Fi networks for nearby devices, record audio logs via built-in microphones, and utilize audio and video sampling to identify exactly what content is being viewed across all inputs.
The investigation was conducted in collaboration with fellow YouTubers Level1Techs and independent security researchers. By testing retail LG OLED models, the team discovered through packet captures that the TVs actively scanned the local area network for hardware such as smartphones and smartwatches. The devices also logged location data and details of surrounding Wi-Fi networks, transmitting this information back to LG Ad Solutions. A particularly alarming finding was the TV’s ability to record microphone audio while in standby. This recording capability persisted even after the television was disconnected from the internet, with audio files stored locally on the device and uploaded only once an internet connection was restored.
The final component of this surveillance ecosystem is Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). This technology analyzes audio and video signals to determine precisely what program is playing, examining both apps used through the TV’s native interface and content connected via HDMI ports. While this practice raises significant privacy concerns for LG customers, it is not unique to the brand. A recent analysis by RTINGS highlights how nearly every major smart TV manufacturer employs ACR to track viewer habits.
This incident marks the second time Gamers Nexus has highlighted privacy issues involving LG products. Earlier this year, in July, the channel exposed that certain LG monitors were automatically installing applications that harvested device data and displayed pop-up advertisements for LG services and McAfee antivirus software. The resulting public outcry forced Microsoft to intervene, ultimately compelling LG to disable the intrusive ads.
(Source: The Verge)
