LG Pushes Back on Claims Its TVs Secretly Record Users

Picture this: you switch off the lights, sink into the couch and let the TV go quiet. Then a YouTube investigation suggests the set never really stopped listening. It was a claim loud enough to make anyone look twice at their living room screen.

That was the thrust of a deep dive posted by Gamers Nexus, made with security researchers. They published packet captures and firmware notes and said the TVs kept logging activity even in standby, scanned the local Wi-Fi, identified other devices on the home network, and in some cases captured ambient audio from the built-in microphone. Automatic Content Recognition technology also came under scrutiny for identifying what’s on screen.

So what did LG say? In a statement shared with Tom’s Hardware, the company rejected the core allegation: that its televisions continuously record private conversations and upload them. LG’s position is straightforward. Voice data is handled only in two scenarios: when you press and hold the voice button on the remote, or when far-field voice recognition is enabled and the set hears the wake phrase "Hi LG".

According to LG, audio used merely to detect the wake phrase stays on the device and is deleted if there’s no match. The company says that audio is not recorded or transmitted outside those cases. That addresses the single biggest fear many viewers had: nonstop eavesdropping.

What LG admits and what it calls normal

LG did acknowledge one of the technical findings: its smart TVs can scan other devices on the same local network. The company framed that as ordinary behavior, used by many smart TVs and connected products to manage device pairing and content sharing. As for ACR, LG says the feature is optional, requires user consent and can be turned off; the firm adds ACR data is not used for targeted advertising unless the user opts in.

The company also emphasized user control. Privacy settings are exposed to owners, and firmware updates and security monitoring are ongoing. LG didn’t answer every single point raised in the Gamers Nexus video, but its reply focused on the most alarming claim — continuous, covert recording — and attempted to reassure customers that it isn’t happening.

How to check your TV and take control

Worried? Do a quick audit.

• Open your TV’s privacy or settings menu and look for voice recognition and ACR options.
• Disable far-field or wake-word features if you do not use voice controls.
• Turn off ACR or content recognition if you prefer no automatic content scanning.
• Keep firmware current. Updates often include security fixes that matter.

At the end of the day, this episode is less about a smoking gun and more about trust and transparency. Gamers Nexus raised questions worth investigating, and LG offered a firm rebuttal focused on the most alarming charge. If you want peace of mind, check the settings and decide how much of your living room you want your TV to manage.