LG denies claims that its TVs constantly eavesdrop on users
What's the story
LG is pushing back against claims that its smart TVs constantly eavesdrop on owners. The company said, "Some recent media coverage may have contributed to misconceptions about how LG smart TVs work." This comes after independent security researchers and tech outlets Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs raised concerns over LG's data logging and transmission practices.
Data handling
LG denies continuous recording or transmission
In its statement, LG clarified that its "TVs do not continuously record or transmit users' conversations."
The company stressed that wake-word detection is done locally on the device.
However, this clarification has been met with skepticism as Gamers Nexus had previously demonstrated an LG TV logging ambient conversations long after the AI assistant was supposed to have stopped listening.
Feature clarification
Clarification on optional features and data collection
LG also clarified that features like "Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), voice recognition, and interest-based advertising are optional" and "not enabled by default."
The company explained that ACR employs audio fingerprinting technology with the TV's internal audio processor to identify content.
It also said that it doesn't collect screenshots, screen recordings, video recordings, or other audio recordings from the TV.
Ongoing concerns
Broader concerns remain unanswered by LG
Despite LG's clarifications, concerns remain over the amount of data it collects and shares, as well as the potential for misuse of its features.
The company has not addressed these broader issues or the way its privacy options are presented to users.
This leaves many questions unanswered about LG's data collection practices and their implications for user privacy.