LG Denies 'Spy TV' Claims While Admitting Its TVs Can Scan Devices Across Your Home Network

South Korean technology manufacturer LG Electronics has rejected allegations that its smart televisions secretly record household conversations, while confirming that its sets can identify other devices connected to the same local network.

The response follows a 135-minute investigation by technology channel Gamers Nexus, conducted with Level1Techs and independent security researchers. Tests using packet captures and firmware analysis on retail LG OLED televisions alleged that the sets could collect information about nearby devices, viewing activity and audio, including while in standby.

LG disputed the audio findings but confirmed that its televisions can scan local networks for devices such as phones and smartwatches. The company described the capability as a standard feature for connectivity, content sharing and smart-home functions, while maintaining that voice data is only processed when users activate voice features.

LG Rejects Claims Of Covert Audio Recording

Gamers Nexus said its investigation raised concerns about audio processing while LG televisions were in standby or appeared to be offline. Researchers alleged that audio and other information could be stored locally and transmitted once an internet connection became available.

LG disputed those findings in a statement provided to Tom's Hardware, saying its televisions do not collect, record or transmit ambient conversations unless voice functionality has been intentionally activated. The company said its 'Hi LG' wake-word system operates only after users enable far-field voice recognition, with audio processed locally. If the wake word is not detected, LG said the audio is deleted and not transmitted to its servers.

Tom's Hardware said it had not independently verified either the Gamers Nexus findings or LG's response. It also reported that LG did not directly address the investigators' claim that audio transcripts could be stored in plain text.

The investigation also examined the information LG televisions can identify on the same local network. Ars Technica reported that researchers used Wireshark and firmware analysis to identify devices including phones and smartwatches, as well as information such as internal IP addresses and nearby Wi-Fi networks.

LG Confirms Network Scanning Capability

LG confirmed the network-scanning capability but described it as a standard function of smart TVs and connected devices. The company said it allows televisions to identify compatible devices for functions including connectivity, content sharing and smart-home integration.

The investigation also examined Automatic Content Recognition, or ACR, a separate feature that can identify content being watched on a television. LG said ACR is optional and that the data is not used for advertising if users do not consent.

A 2024 University College London study of LG and Samsung televisions in the UK and US found differences in how ACR operated between the two markets. Researchers said opting out stopped ACR network traffic in their tests, highlighting wider questions about how clearly smart-TV data collection is disclosed to consumers.

Previous Scrutiny Over LG Data Collection

LG has faced separate scrutiny over its handling of viewing data. In May, the Texas attorney general announced a settlement requiring clearer disclosures about ACR and a simpler way for users to opt out of viewing-data collection. The agreement followed allegations that viewing information had been collected without informed consent.

The settlement concerned ACR viewing data. It does not establish that the standby audio allegations made by Gamers Nexus occurred.

LG continues to deny the audio claims while confirming that its televisions can scan local networks for other connected devices.