LG Clarifies Smart TV Privacy Practices Amid Spying Concerns

LG has issued a response to recent allegations that its smart TVs are ‘spying’ on users, clarifying that wake-word detection occurs locally on the device and that features such as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), voice recognition, and interest-based advertising are optional. The company emphasized that speech-to-text processing only begins when a user activates a voice interaction through a supported wake-word feature or by pressing the voice (or AI) button on the remote control. Audio used for wake-word detection is processed locally on the TV and, if no wake word is detected, audio is not converted to text, stored, or transmitted. LG also stated that voice-recognition results and related technical logs are associated with specific voice interactions and do not indicate continuous recording of conversations outside active voice recognition sessions. The company further explained that ACR uses audio fingerprinting technology through the TV’s internal audio processor (not a speaker) to identify content, and does not collect screenshots, screen recordings, video recordings, voice recordings, or other audio recordings. LG stressed that features like ACR, voice recognition, and interest-based advertising are not enabled by default and can be managed or withdrawn through TV settings. The Verge reported that critics argue LG’s response did not address broader concerns about data collection practices, data sharing, potential exploitation by malicious actors, or the misleading presentation of privacy options. The company’s statement also included a commitment to providing additional details on how LG smart TV features work, how information is processed, user choices, and ongoing efforts to strengthen privacy, transparency, and security. The response comes amid growing scrutiny of smart TV privacy practices, with some researchers finding that TVs keep logs of ambient conversations even when not actively in use. The article includes comments from Slashdot users expressing skepticism about LG’s claims, with some noting past issues with LG products and others suggesting that turning off internet connectivity or using alternative devices like AppleTVs might be safer options for privacy-conscious consumers.