LG smart TVs caught logging audio with screen off and snooping on local devices
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
LG smart TVs log audio with the screen off and scan home networks for devices.
An investigation by Gamers Nexus, Level1Techs, and security researchers found LG OLED models (including the G5) running webOS continuously scan local networks for phones and smartwatches, collecting IP addresses, Wi-Fi network names, and location data. The TVs also capture microphone audio while in standby mode, saving it locally and uploading it when internet is restored. The data feeds into LG Ad Solutions, which claims access to 363 million secondary devices in the US. Remote code execution vulnerabilities in webOS are under disclosure. The researchers recommend disconnecting LG TVs from the internet and using external streaming devices.
What commenters are saying
Commenters express resignation that surveillance is a feature of modern smart TVs, with some arguing that fines are already budgeted for as a cost of doing business. Several note that governments benefit from this data, making legislative fixes unlikely. A specific point raised: if the TV records credit card numbers via text-to-speech and stores them insecurely, that could create a clear liability path for lawsuits. Others counter that arbitration agreements and the high cost of legal action make accountability nearly impossible.