Your LG TV is constantly collecting your data – here’s how to stop it

In recent weeks, YouTube channel Gamers Nexus released a revealing two-hour video detailing the extent of LG's TV data collection. Smart TVs are equipped with ultra-sensitive microphones that constantly listen and maintain logs of user activities, turning living rooms into data farms where individuals serve as the main source of valuable data. This practice is not exclusive to LG; most major TV brands engage in some form of data collection, either for sale to third-party advertisers or for internal marketing purposes.

The primary data collected by manufacturers includes search terms, audio recordings, payment information, and screenshots, which are sent to third-party companies like Alfonso, Inc. (also known as LG AdSolutions). LG AdSolutions operates with a vast network of 49 million LG smart TVs in the US and 216 million globally. Their collected data is primarily used to serve up targeted advertisements and media recommendations, while also employing sophisticated tracking methods to monitor sensitive data, including the ability to pinpoint user location within a 10-meter radius.

Data is stored both locally on the TV's hardware and transmitted to LG (or other brand) servers via data packets. These packets contain a snapshot of the TV's activity at a given moment, including IP addresses, profile information, screen image details, audio recordings, Wi-Fi network settings, and possibly geolocation data. The data log, on the other hand, is a local record of everything done on the smart TV, including profile logins, voice control activations, searches, app launches, and more, which is usually used for diagnostic purposes.

Data packets are sent to central servers for comparison against a larger database of information, often as frequently as every three seconds.

The data collected can be retained for extended periods, with some logs surviving app removal, firmware updates, and power interruptions. This information includes usernames, email addresses, passwords, and payment details, which can persist even after a factory reset. To permanently delete such data, a full factory reset is necessary.

Users should also consider using data removal services like Incogni or DeleteMe to further minimize their digital footprint. Factory resetting a smart TV can be done by navigating through the settings menu, while taking steps such as disabling automatic content recognition (ACR) and HDMI CEC data tracking can help prevent future data collection. Removing HDMI data from devices connected to your TV can also aid in maintaining privacy.