LG TVs reportedly log audio, scan devices

Recent testing has revealed that LG smart televisions collect extensive user data, including microphone audio and information about other devices on a home network, even when the TV is in standby mode or disconnected from the internet. The findings, detailed in a recent video investigation by Gamers Nexus in collaboration with independent security researchers and Level1Techs, suggest that LG TVs actively scan local networks, identify connected devices such as phones and smartwatches, and log microphone audio. During network traffic analysis using Wireshark, researchers observed LG OLED models scanning their surroundings. The TVs reportedly gathered internal IP addresses, names and signal strengths of nearby Wi-Fi networks, and location data. This collected information is said to be fed into LG Ad Solutions, the company's targeted advertising division. LG claims to have access to approximately 363 million addressable devices in the United States alone, a figure significantly higher than its reported global smart TV sales of around 216 million units. Further testing indicated that LG TVs continue to capture clear microphone audio even when the screen is off or the set is in standby.