LG denies TV spying claims while confirming network scanning

LG has rejected claims that its smart TVs secretly record ambient conversations, while confirming that the sets can scan for other devices on the same home network.

The response came after Tom’s Hardware reported LG’s statement about a two-hour-15-minute Gamers Nexus investigation. The video, made with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, examined network traffic, firmware and the behaviour of retail LG televisions.

What LG says about the TV spying claims

LG said the TV spying claims are not true. It told Tom’s Hardware that voice data is processed only when the voice button on the remote is pressed and held, or when a wake word such as “Hi LG” is recognised after Far-Field voice recognition has been activated by the user.

“The claims made in the recently published video are not true.”

LG, in a statement to Tom’s Hardware

The company said its TVs do not collect or record ambient conversations outside those situations. LG also said wake-word processing happens on the television, and that no voice data is sent to its servers if the wake word is not recognised.

Gamers Nexus reported different behaviour during its testing, including audio-related logs and data collection while the television appeared to be in standby. Those findings remain the researchers’ claims; Tom’s Hardware did not independently reproduce every part of the investigation.

LG confirms network scanning and ACR

LG did confirm that its televisions can scan for compatible devices on the same network. The company described this as a standard smart-TV and smart-home function used for connectivity, content sharing and related features.

The investigation also examined Automatic Content Recognition, or ACR. The technology samples what appears on screen and can create a fingerprint of programmes, films, adverts, games and content from connected devices. LG says ACR is an opt-in feature and that the data is not used for advertising without consent.

LG’s own 2026 AI TV material describes personalised recommendations, Voice ID and other features built into webOS. The company says its LG Shield system protects TV and user data through secure storage, transmission, software-integrity checks and security updates. Those claims describe LG’s safeguards, not an independent assessment of the Gamers Nexus findings.

What LG TV owners should check

The dispute does not change the basic security advice. Install the latest webOS updates, review the privacy and user-agreement screens, and disable ACR, personalised advertising or Far-Field voice recognition if those features are not needed.

Owners can also place a smart TV on a separate guest or IoT network. That limits what a compromised television can see if it is connected to the same router as phones, laptops, printers and smart-home devices. The original Gamers Nexus investigation contains the testing and demonstrations, while LG’s position is set out in Tom’s Hardware’s report.

For UAE owners, the same settings are available in the television’s privacy and voice-control menus, although the exact wording varies by model and webOS version. Our earlier LG smart TV privacy investigation report covers the original findings in more detail, while our LG OLED Wallpaper W6 coverage provides context on the company’s current TV range.