LG denies smart TV spying claims as privacy questions persist

The company said speech-to-text processing begins only when a user activates a voice interaction through a supported wake-word feature or by pressing the voice or AI button on the remote control. Audio used for wake-word detection is processed locally, and if no wake word is detected, the audio is not converted to text, stored or transmitted, according to LG. Voice-recognition results and related technical logs may be generated when a voice command is processed, but those records are associated with specific voice interactions and do not indicate continuous recording of conversations outside an active voice recognition session, LG said. Speech-recognition results are not uploaded later when the TV is offline or when connectivity is restored, it said.

LG further stated that Automatic Content Recognition, voice recognition and interest-based advertising are optional and “not enabled by default.” Users can choose to enable them and can manage or withdraw consent through TV settings, the company said. According to LG, ACR uses audio fingerprinting through the TV’s internal audio processor, not a speaker, to identify content and does not collect screenshots, screen recordings, video recordings, voice recordings or other audio recordings from the TV. Where ACR is available and enabled, ACR-related information may be used for audience segmentation and viewing or audience trend analysis, LG said, while interest-based advertising and cross-device advertising require separate user consent through applicable advertising agreements.

The Verge reported that the word “continuously” carries much of the weight in LG’s denial, because Gamers Nexus demonstrated an LG TV keeping extensive logs of ambient conversations long after one would assume the AI assistant had stopped listening. The Verge also said LG did not address broader concerns about how much data it collects, whom it shares that data with, the potential for bad actors to exploit its features, or the misleading way its privacy options are presented. Slashdot reported that critics raised the same point, noting that researchers found TVs keeping logs of ambient conversations even as LG emphasized local wake-word processing and optional features.

LG’s statement also said the company believes it has a responsibility as an industry leader to provide customers with clear and accurate information about how its smart TVs operate and the privacy controls available to them. “Protecting user privacy is a fundamental principle in the design and operation of LG products and services,” the statement said, adding that LG would provide additional details on how its smart TV features work, how information may be processed, what choices users have, and how it continues to strengthen privacy, transparency and security.

Editor's Summary

LG has denied that its smart TVs continuously record or transmit user conversations, saying wake-word detection is local and features such as ACR, voice recognition and interest-based ads are optional and off by default. Researchers and critics say LG TVs kept logs of ambient conversations, and they argue the company’s response did not address broader questions about data collection, sharing and privacy controls.