LG has responded to reports and investigations that raised concerns about how its smart TVs collect user data, stating that some recent media coverage contributed to “misconceptions” about how its smart TVs operate.
The response follows the publication of findings by Gamers Nexus, Level1Techs, and two independent cybersecurity researchers, who described alarming results showing that some LG TVs may record large amounts of data and send it to the company’s servers, including data related to sounds around the device.
In an official statement, LG confirmed that its TVs “do not continuously record or transmit user conversations,” explaining that the wake word detection for the voice assistant is processed locally on the device.
The company’s use of the phrase “continuously” raised further questions, especially after a Gamers Nexus investigation showed that one LG TV retained extensive logs of ambient sounds and conversations even after the period during which the smart assistant was supposed to have stopped listening.
LG: Data Collection Features Are Optional
In an attempt to clarify privacy mechanisms, LG said that features such as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), voice recognition, and interest-based advertisements are optional and not enabled by default.
The company explained that ACR technology relies on an “audio fingerprint” to identify the content being played, noting that processing is done using the TV’s internal audio processor, not through the speaker.
LG stressed that ACR does not collect screenshots, screen recordings, video recordings, audio recordings, or any other recordings of sound from the TV.
However, the company’s statement did not directly address a number of other concerns raised by the investigations, including the volume of data collected by the TVs, the parties with whom this data may be shared, and the potential for misuse.
LG also did not elaborate on criticisms regarding how privacy settings are presented to users, and whether the wording of these options might make it difficult for users to understand the nature of the data collected and how to disable it.