GoKawiilGamers Nexus investigation finds LG OLED TVs harvest data and pose hacking risks
An investigation by Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs, alongside independent security researchers, found LG's smart OLED TVs use Automatic Content Recognition to monitor viewing habits across all input sources and scan connected home networks, sending this data to LG Ad Solutions for targeted advertising. The team also uncovered a security flaw allowing the TVs' built-in microphone to be secretly activated for audio recording even when the set appears off, with stored recordings capable of being transmitted later once reconnected to power and internet.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings highlight how smart TVs increasingly function as surveillance and advertising devices even when consumers believe they are inactive, raising serious privacy concerns. The discovery of potential remote-code-execution vulnerabilities—not yet disclosed publicly pending responsible reporting to LG—suggests these risks extend beyond advertising into genuine security threats for connected homes.
- LG TVs use ACR to track content from all inputs, not just streaming apps
- A flaw lets microphones record audio even when TVs appear powered off
- Undisclosed remote-code-execution vulnerabilities are being reported to LG
Apple TV 4K streaming box — If you'd rather not lean on your smart TV's built-in apps and their content-recognition tracking, an Apple TV 4K lets you do all your streaming through a box built around Apple's privacy stance. Plug it into HDMI, keep the TV's own software mostly idle, and get a fast, clean interface for your streaming services.
See Apple TV 4K streaming box on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: techspot.com — Kishalaya Kundu, 2026-09-09
Published there as: “LG accused of tracking its smart TV users, scanning home networks, and recording conversations”
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