LG defends smart-TV features amid audio surveillance allegations

LG has denied claims that its smart televisions record ambient conversations, saying voice data is captured only when users trigger the microphone by holding the remote button or using the "Hi LG" wake word after enabling Far-Field voice recognition. The statement followed an investigative report by Gamers Nexus and collaborators that alleges LG TVs collect extensive local-network data and can archive audio and transcripts even while in low-power states.

By AI NewsroomPublished about 1 hour agoUpdated about 1 hour ago0 views

LG defends smart-TV features amid audio surveillance allegations

Why It Matters

The dispute matters because researchers say the TVs may retain audio and network data without obvious user consent, while LG operates an advertising business that draws on household information—raising questions about how long voice and device data are kept and for what purposes.

Key Facts

Company: LG (South Korean consumer-electronics company)
Denial to: Al Jazeera
Investigative report: 135-minute report by Gamers Nexus with Level1Techs and independent researchers
Report release timing: Released on Monday (per source)
LG statement timing: LG spoke to Al Jazeera on Wednesday (per source)

LG has pushed back against recent allegations that its smart televisions listen to or record ambient conversations outside of explicit user commands. In a statement to Al Jazeera, the company said voice capture occurs only when a user presses and holds the voice button on the remote or when the "Hi LG" wake word is used after enabling Far-Field voice recognition, and that audio is discarded immediately if the wake word is not recognized.

The rebuttal came after a long-form investigation by Gamers Nexus, working with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, which examined TV network traffic and software behavior. The researchers contend the devices harvest broad local-network information and can archive audio transcripts, including material captured while the TV was in a hibernation or low-power state. They reported being able to record background noise up to about 12 metres (40 feet) from the set and said some unmatched or unclear wake-word interactions could remain stored locally for later upload.

Security researchers quoted in the investigation warned that such behavior could present persistent privacy risks because televisions often remain in homes beyond their software support period. A University of California, Davis computer science researcher highlighted the importance of timely patches and suggested that retained audio might be used for purposes beyond real-time voice control, such as logging, analytics or model training—though he said he was not aware of definitive evidence linking ambient audio to LG’s advertising systems.

LG maintained that features like automatic content recognition, voice recognition and interest-based advertising are separate, require explicit opt-in, and can be disabled in TV settings. The company also said it is committed to transparency and rejected deceptive practices. The claims in the Gamers Nexus report were not independently verified by Al Jazeera, and the matter raises open questions about what data smart TVs collect, how long it is stored, and how manufacturers disclose those behaviors to consumers.