According to a Gamers Nexus investigation, LG televisions are capable of scanning an entire home Wi-Fi network via the UPnP protocol, identifying all connected devices, and recording audio through microphones — even when the screen is dark or the TV is disconnected from the internet. Researchers spent more than 500 hours and approximately $70,000 on the study. They extracted a clean audio recording from a TV with its screen turned off, and then repeated the process after fully disconnecting the device from the network. In another test, a microphone picked up speech from a distance of roughly 60 feet through a wall, and upon reconnection the television uploaded the saved recording.
The primary data collection occurs through Automatic Content Recognition (ACR). This feature continues to operate even when the television is used as an HDMI monitor. Researchers also discovered a second hidden microphone that is unaffected by the mute button. Voice commands are converted to text and stored in local logs, and the microphone remains active for 10–15 seconds after a command ends. In May, LG settled claims from Texas authorities, agreeing to stop collecting viewing data without informed consent. However, the investigation revealed that the "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" toggle is disabled by default — even before the device connects to the internet. A few days after Gamers Nexus published its initial findings in July, LG added a mandatory arbitration clause to its user agreement, stripping buyers of the right to file class-action lawsuits.
Beyond privacy concerns, vulnerabilities were discovered that allow remote code execution on the television. Approximately 42% of apps in the webOS store contain residential proxy code capable of routing third-party internet traffic through a home connection. LG stated it is working to remove such applications. In promotional materials, LG Ad Solutions executives openly state that the company "owns the glass" and offer to link TV viewing habits to other devices in the home. Data is processed by partner Alphonso Inc., in which LG acquired a controlling stake in 2021. LG Ad Solutions President of Global Advertising Sales Serge Matta previously led Comscore and was fined $700,000 by the SEC, required to return $2.1 million to the company, and banned from serving as an officer of a public company for ten years.