YouTuber claims LG TVs spy on users even when turned off
LG allegedly eavesdrops on users through their smart TVs, according to an investigation on YouTube.
A YouTube channel named Gamers Nexus has accused LG televisions of secretly monitoring users even when the devices are turned off or disconnected from the internet. The video details how LG TVs collect data from users and transmit it back to the company, even in standby mode. The channel claims that software vulnerabilities in the devices allowed them to listen in on and record audio from the built-in microphones, potentially turning the TVs into covert listening devices.
The issues are largely attributed to LG's Advertising Content Recognition (ACR) technology, which can identify what users are watching, which apps they are using, and which devices are connected to the TV.
LG representatives have acknowledged the company's capabilities, stating that they know who is in the LG household and which devices are present. However, the company denies any wrongdoing and claims that it only aims to provide its customers with relevant ads. Gamers Nexus's investigation also revealed that LG TVs collect a user's IP address, geographic location, the names of all nearby WiFi networks, and the IP addresses of other devices on the network.
The video, which was created in partnership with YouTube channel Level1Techs and cybersecurity researchers MrBruh and uturn, has already garnered over 2 million views within a short span of time. This is not the first time Gamers Nexus has criticized LG, as the channel previously exposed the company for serving its customers unwanted and intrusive ads on TV screens and PC monitors.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
