According to an in-depth investigation by the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, LG TVs running the WebOS operating system are said to record ambient noise via their built-in microphones even when in standby mode. In addition, the devices apparently continuously scan the home network and create a profile of all connected smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices. LG disputes some of the allegations but acknowledges that data collection can only be disabled via hidden menus.
In short:
- Gamers Nexus, in collaboration with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, analyzed LG OLED models (including the current flagship G5) using Wireshark captures.
- The TVs are said to record audio even when the screen is off and store the recordings locally when there is no internet connection until a connection is reestablished.
- At the same time, the devices scan the home network for external devices and collect Wi-Fi names, signal strengths, and location data in the surrounding area.
- According to its own promotional materials, LG reports approximately 216 million active smart TVs worldwide and access to over 363 million additional devices in the same household.
- WebOS is also said to contain several security vulnerabilities that could, in principle, allow unauthorized access to the microphone.
What Gamers Nexus Found
Gamers Nexus, a YouTube channel specializing in hardware testing, monitored several LG OLED TVs on its own network over an extended period for its video and captured the data traffic using Wireshark. The team was supported in this effort by Level1Techs and other security researchers, who are said to have independently verified the findings. The video, which has now surpassed the two-hour mark, describes LG’s practices as “intrusive and grotesque” and speculates that similar practices could be widespread among other manufacturers as well.
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Microphone Recordings Even in Standby Mode: How Is That Possible?
The most explosive allegation concerns the TV’s built-in microphone, which is actually intended for voice commands. According to the testers, some LG models record ambient noise even when the screen is off and the device appears to be in standby mode. If there’s no internet connection, the recordings are reportedly stored temporarily on the device and automatically uploaded as soon as the TV is back online.
At its core, this is powered by Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology. It creates a digital fingerprint from video and audio content to identify which app is currently running, which console is connected via HDMI, or which content is being mirrored from a smartphone to the TV. Users can disable ACR in the settings under “System” → “Advanced Settings” via the “Live Plus” toggle, which, according to LG, is intended to prevent data collection. However, the testers were unable to fully verify how effective this setting actually is.
Network Scanning: LG Apparently Knows Every Device in the Home
In addition to the microphone, the investigation also focuses on the home network. The tested TVs are said to actively search for other devices on the same network—including smartphones, smartwatches, printers, switches, and smart-home hardware—while also recording Wi-Fi names and signal strengths in the vicinity. In theory, this data could even be used to determine a rough location. According to promotional materials from LG Ad Solutions cited by Gamers Nexus, the company essentially states that it knows exactly “who lives in the LG household” and “which devices are present there.” According to the cited promotional materials, this information can be used to deliver campaigns across multiple devices.
| Function | What happens, according to the investigation | Can be disabled via |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone / Voice Control | Audio recording even in standby mode; local caching without an internet connection | Disable the voice assistant in Settings |
| ACR (Live Plus) | Digital fingerprinting of video and audio content for advertising purposes | System → Advanced Settings → Live Plus |
| Network scan | Detection of third-party devices and Wi-Fi networks in the home | According to testers, cannot be completely disabled |
Security vulnerabilities in WebOS pose an additional risk
In addition to the actual data collection by LG itself, the testers reportedly discovered several security vulnerabilities in the WebOS operating system, according to a technical assessment by Malwarebytes. They are withholding details as part of a responsible disclosure process to avoid putting users at additional risk before LG has fixed the issues. According to the company, the manufacturer has already been informed. If the vulnerabilities are confirmed, they could theoretically also grant external attackers access to the microphone, regardless of the already controversial factory settings.
What does LG say about the allegations?
LG has so far only offered evasive comments. In response to inquiries from media outlets, the manufacturer stated that it does not collect, record, or store “ambient conversations”—a statement critics view as mere semantics rather than a genuine denial: After all, the actual allegations do not revolve around conversations overheard incidentally in the room, but rather around targeted audio recordings in standby mode.
How to Protect Yourself from Data Collection
If you own an LG TV and want to limit data collection, there are a few settings you can adjust—even if none of them guarantee 100% security:
- Disable voice control and the microphone in the system settings, rather than just muting them with the remote control button.
- Turn off ACR via “Live Plus” to prevent the analysis of video and audio content.
- Turn off personalized advertising in the privacy settings.
- Install firmware updates promptly as soon as LG patches the reported WebOS vulnerabilities.
- Permanently disconnect the TV from the internet and stream content instead via an external device such as Apple TV or a Fire TV Stick to clearly separate data traffic.
- Set up a separate guest or IoT network for smart TVs on your home network and disable UPnP unless it is absolutely necessary.
Not an Isolated Case: Smart TVs and the Privacy Issue
The debate surrounding smart TVs and data collection is nothing new. Samsung’s new generation of smart TVs also relies on similar ACR technologies to analyze viewing behavior, and voice assistants like Alexa have been under fire for years because they constantly listen and record. The example of Alexa illustrates quite well how to delete stored voice recordings; with smart TVs featuring ACR functionality, the process is often less transparent. Just a few weeks earlier, Gamers Nexus had already leveled similar accusations against LG monitors. Anyone interested in the manufacturer’s new products—aside from the current allegations—can find further details on the OLED lineup in our report on LG’s awards at IFA 2026.
Conclusion
It’s difficult to assess from the outside whether every single allegation from the Gamers Nexus video will ultimately be confirmed word for word; LG has not yet responded in detail. One thing is clear, however: The combination of microphone access in standby mode, network scanning, and an advertising business that touts its reach across hundreds of millions of devices raises serious questions about data privacy on modern smart TVs. Until LG clarifies its position, owners of LG TVs have little choice but to adjust their settings or disconnect from the internet to at least minimize their own data footprint.
