LG smart TV privacy concerns have returned to the living room after an investigation found that tested LG sets can collect far more than viewing history. The Gamers Nexus investigation reported by The Verge found network discovery, Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) and other data-collection features in retail LG OLED TVs.
What the LG smart TV privacy investigation found
Gamers Nexus worked with Level1Techs and independent security researchers. Packet captures and firmware analysis showed the tested televisions identifying nearby devices such as phones, PCs, printers, switches and other smart-home hardware, while also collecting nearby Wi-Fi names, signal information and device identifiers.
The investigation also looked at ACR, which samples what appears on a television and creates a digital fingerprint. LG Ad Solutions openly describes its ACR system as a way to understand viewing behaviour across programmes, films, adverts, games and streaming apps displayed on LG Smart TVs. LG announced the technology’s global rollout in 2022, including 27 countries across several regions.
That part is not a secret feature. The advertising business is built around it. The privacy question is how clearly the controls explain the collection and whether owners understand what they accepted during setup.
The report also examined microphone recording and security weaknesses. Some of the more serious audio demonstrations involved a compromised television or researcher-controlled code, so it is more accurate to say the testing showed a capability and a security risk than to claim every LG TV is secretly recording conversations at all times. Malwarebytes reported that the researchers also found remote-code-execution vulnerabilities, with full details still being disclosed responsibly.
What UAE LG TV owners can do
The practical steps are the same in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or anywhere else: install firmware updates, review Settings under Privacy & Terms or User Agreements, and disable ACR, viewing-information collection, personalised adverts and voice features that are not needed. Put the television on a separate guest or IoT network so a compromised set has less access to phones, laptops and smart-home devices.
The Gamers Nexus video contains the original testing and demonstrations. Malwarebytes’ report provides additional context on the security implications and defensive steps. LG’s own ACR technology page describes the advertising uses of viewing data in its own terms.
LG smart TV privacy settings are worth checking even if the television is usually used with an external streamer. A bright panel is useful; it does not need a second career in household intelligence.
What did Gamers Nexus find in LG TVs?
Testing found network discovery, Automatic Content Recognition and other data-collection behaviour in the LG TVs examined.
Can LG TVs record audio when they appear to be off?
The investigation demonstrated audio-recording capability and security risks, including in compromised or researcher-controlled scenarios. It does not establish that every LG TV records room audio continuously.
How can I reduce the privacy risk?
Update the TV, disable ACR and unused voice or advertising features, review consent settings, and place the set on a separate guest or IoT network.
