LG smart TVs caught logging audio with screen off and snooping on local devices

A recent investigation into LG smart TVs has revealed significant privacy concerns regarding the devices' data collection practices. Researchers discovered that these televisions continue to log audio data even when the screen is powered off, raising alarms about persistent surveillance in domestic environments. Furthermore, the devices were found to be actively scanning and snooping on other hardware connected to the same local network, potentially exposing sensitive information about a user's home infrastructure. These findings highlight the ongoing tension between smart home convenience and user privacy. Security experts suggest that such telemetry practices often bypass user consent, as the data collection is embedded deep within the operating system's background processes. LG has faced criticism for the lack of transparency regarding what data is captured and how it is transmitted to their servers, prompting calls for stricter privacy controls and more robust opt-out mechanisms for consumers.