LG TVs caught spying even when offline or on standby

RanceJustice said:
Not a horrible idea, but maybe we should just make full featured, high end things that operate in service of their users? While there's a niche market for very stripped down things in the privacy community, greater success comes from having comparable tech to mainstream/enthusiast/workstation etc hardware, but operating in a way that respects the users freedom. For something like this for instance, we could pick up the same LG OLED monitor or TV panels that other OEMs make use of, including Asus, and build the same display into something with high end enthusiast features including privacy related ones - if it has a microphone or wireless connectivity option, it should have hardware cut-offs and proper functionality when it is on as the user directs.

As we saw over the last decade or so, when you're dealing with relatively small scale fabrication for a variety of reasons, its going to be more expensive. The group that is so devoted to privacy/openness etc.. that they're wiling to give up performance, features and the like is going to be much smaller than those who, knowing they're going to buy something expensive anyway, will pay a little more for something made locally and has the private, secure, and openness features they'd LIKE to see, but usually isn't available. Its often a false dichotomy posed by those who benefit in the industry that enthusiast features, privacy, security, FOSS etc..are not compatible with the newest developments; it serve their needs as opposed to the users'. We should continue to push back against such things when we can. While in some cases I think things have grown worse both in terms of the amount of invasive tech and user ideals alike, on the other there are bright spots that can be leveraged effectively and used to legitimize future change - from Framework and System76, to the entire Valve SteamOS lineup from the Deck and Machine to the upcoming Frame, that make some privacy, security and openness elements far more accessible as user choices than ever before.





I cannot understand how streaming services expect you to use a given app for everything . For those that maintain such subscriptions, its also worth contacting the companies and otherwise bringing up the impediment to your use. That said, there are some ways to get these apps to provide you the content you're paying for on an Android device or a Linux based PC (presumably Windows too), sometimes as easy as spoofing user agents and version numbers, but you shouldn't need to go through all this. Using Kodi, Jellyfin, PIpePipe(one of the many FOSS forks of NewPipe for vastly improved access to YouTube / PeerTube) or other platforms never cause such issue of course (I presume stremio also works fine, but have never used it myself? Not sure really how it compares) and these days can provide a much smoother and better experience than most subscription streaming services, properly configured.


I personally would get whatever device I found to be the best overall in terms of pictures and features, as many of them that are going to have those we want are all going to have the potential for issues described. Thus, we just have to decide how much time and effort we want to go about countering them. For most of us on [H], ensuring that the TV itself never goes online or is on a VLAN that is independently routed to be blocked should be possible. Those who are comfortable engaging in hardware modifications on an expensive device, like attempting to remove a built in mic, are going to be far lower but there are intermediary steps like simply putting some tape over the mics are much easier. Ultimately we're going to need a regulatory solution to put an end to all this, but we can use technical avenues available to us in the meantime while making our displeasure known to the companies involved should they continue this behavior.
Click to expand...

You can use the streaming services on phones and web browsers they just limit you to 1080p and stereo sound. The reason is DRM. It's stupid because it isn't stopping any piracy and it just pisses people off, but people using PCs connected to 4k displays and surround sound are an extremely small percentage of the users.

If you could simply use a PC and watch at the highester quality I would gladly do that. I remember being extremely disappointed when they started streaming 4k and it not being an option in my web browser, then seeing they had a windows app, downloading that, and being pissed off that 4k and surround sound still wasn't an option. Thanks for making me use the windows store and install that garbage for nothing.
 
sharknice said:
You can use the streaming services on phones and web browsers they just limit you to 1080p and stereo sound. The reason is DRM. It's stupid because it isn't stopping any piracy and it just pisses people off, but people using PCs connected to 4k displays and surround sound are an extremely small percentage of the users.

If you could simply use a PC and watch at the highester quality I would gladly do that. I remember being extremely disappointed when they started streaming 4k and it not being an option in my web browser, then seeing they had a windows app, downloading that, and being pissed off that 4k and surround sound still wasn't an option. Thanks for making me use the windows store and install that garbage for nothing.
Click to expand...
Oh I know its DRM and some access is technically usable with lower resolutions, but especially when many of these services (Used? I haven't looked for awhile at the breakdown. A few of my family members lucked into getting T-Mobile to pay for what was the top ad-free tier, but only had to pay $2/month for the upgrade that lets them access 4K + 4 people streaming at a time when that option came along) charge for 4k/surround access, its not acceptable for them to restrict it based on what devices you're using.

So even using the app from the Windows store that wasn't sufficient?! What service are you trying to watch? For Netflix, I know that if you have Windows 10 or 11, you can watch in a browser IF you use Edge (or sends an Edge useragent, but that's another discussion) or supposedly the Windows Store Netflix App. I've also seen it that you need the HEVC codec extensions package; I didn't download it manually but apparently it used to come in Win10 updates up until a certain time and now needs to be installed manually, but may be native in Win11. Likewise, needed a new enough CPU and/or GPU. Back when I was configuring these services for family members, I've managed to watch 4K netflix on Firefox on Linux(and Windows) awhile back but it did take using the Random User Agent extension spoofing an Edge useragent, along with video cards and drivers that were HDCP 2.x compatible, but that was a couple of years back. Likewise, I could do so on an Android box with Kodi passing through to activate the Android app while both of them running on FireTV Stick Ultra 4K (or something like that) but I forget the parameters back then. I admit I've only had need to do this for Netflix (and HBOMax, but they had a subscription there along with their FIOS TV service; most of the difficulty there seemed to be getting logged in and authorized , but once that was taken care of it could play with ease on PC, Android box eetc)

None of this should be necessary of course and alternative methods have become of sufficient ease and quality that, even for those who may have streaming subscriptions, they remain highly desirable. One would think as the "streaming wars" flared and then faded away these companies would be more concerned with getting users onto their service, but knowing Hollywood and the related industries j( ust like the MPAA/RIAA = MAFIAA days in the 2000s), I'm sure they are constantly bickering about how content is allowed to be licensed on any given platform. Utilizing Kodi, Jellyfin, or the others mentioned along with the right configurations and services, will provide a far better value for the money.
 
I don't have LG, but they are all made in China. I connect my TV to ethernet on a separate IOT network, disable Wifi, and firewall it to hell so it cannot connect out anywhere. I see it trying to send telemetry to China on the deny logs, so if LG is doing this, they are not alone.
 
zehoo said:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToP9xfLDSME
Click to expand...

"LG Responds to TV Spying Allegations (theverge.com)17​

Posted by BeauHD on Saturday September 12, 2026 @01:00PM from the privacy-commitments dept.
LG is pushing back against reports that its smart TVs are "spying" on users, saying wake-word detection happens locally and that features such as Automatic Content Recognition, voice recognition, and interest-based ads are optional. But critics note that researchers found TVs keeping logs of ambient conversations, and LG's response "did not address broader concerns about how much data it collects, who it shares it with, the potential for bad actors to exploit its features, or the misleading way in which its privacy options are presented," reports The Verge. Here's an excerpt from LG's statement:Some recent media coverage may have contributed to misconceptions about how LG smart TVs work. As an industry leader, LG believes we have a responsibility to provide customers with clear and accurate information about how our smart TVs operate and the privacy controls available to them. We would like to clarify how our smart TVs operate and explain our approach to user privacy.

LG smart TVs do not continuously record or transmit users' conversations. Speech-to-text processing begins only if a user activates a voice interaction through a supported wake-word feature or by pressing the voice (or AI) button on the remote control. Audio used for wake-word detection is processed locally on the TV and, if no wake word is detected, audio is not converted to text, stored, or transmitted. Voice-recognition results and related technical logs may be generated as part of processing a voice command. These records are associated with specific voice interactions and do not indicate continuous recording of conversations occurring outside an active voice recognition session.

Speech-recognition results may be used to support voice-related features but are not uploaded later when the TV is offline or when connectivity is restored. Features such as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), voice recognition, and interest-based advertising are optional. These features are not enabled by default. Users can choose to enable these features and can manage or withdraw consent through TV settings.

ACR uses audio fingerprinting technology using the TV's internal audio processor (not a speaker) to identify content and does not collect screenshots, screen recordings, video recordings, voice recordings, or other audio recordings from the TV. Where ACR is available and enabled, ACR-related information may be used for audience segmentation and viewing or audience trend analysis. Interest-based advertising and cross-device advertising require separate user consent through the applicable advertising-related agreements. Protecting user privacy is a fundamental principle in the design and operation of LG products and services.The statement goes on to "provide additional details on how LG smart TV features work, how information may be processed, what choices users have, and how LG continues to strengthen privacy, transparency, and security.""
 
erek said:

"LG Responds to TV Spying Allegations (theverge.com)17​

Posted by BeauHD on Saturday September 12, 2026 @01:00PM from the privacy-commitments dept.
LG is pushing back against reports that its smart TVs are "spying" on users, saying wake-word detection happens locally and that features such as Automatic Content Recognition, voice recognition, and interest-based ads are optional. But critics note that researchers found TVs keeping logs of ambient conversations, and LG's response "did not address broader concerns about how much data it collects, who it shares it with, the potential for bad actors to exploit its features, or the misleading way in which its privacy options are presented," reports The Verge. Here's an excerpt from LG's statement:Some recent media coverage may have contributed to misconceptions about how LG smart TVs work. As an industry leader, LG believes we have a responsibility to provide customers with clear and accurate information about how our smart TVs operate and the privacy controls available to them. We would like to clarify how our smart TVs operate and explain our approach to user privacy.

LG smart TVs do not continuously record or transmit users' conversations. Speech-to-text processing begins only if a user activates a voice interaction through a supported wake-word feature or by pressing the voice (or AI) button on the remote control. Audio used for wake-word detection is processed locally on the TV and, if no wake word is detected, audio is not converted to text, stored, or transmitted. Voice-recognition results and related technical logs may be generated as part of processing a voice command. These records are associated with specific voice interactions and do not indicate continuous recording of conversations occurring outside an active voice recognition session.

Speech-recognition results may be used to support voice-related features but are not uploaded later when the TV is offline or when connectivity is restored. Features such as Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), voice recognition, and interest-based advertising are optional. These features are not enabled by default. Users can choose to enable these features and can manage or withdraw consent through TV settings.

ACR uses audio fingerprinting technology using the TV's internal audio processor (not a speaker) to identify content and does not collect screenshots, screen recordings, video recordings, voice recordings, or other audio recordings from the TV. Where ACR is available and enabled, ACR-related information may be used for audience segmentation and viewing or audience trend analysis. Interest-based advertising and cross-device advertising require separate user consent through the applicable advertising-related agreements. Protecting user privacy is a fundamental principle in the design and operation of LG products and services.The statement goes on to "provide additional details on how LG smart TV features work, how information may be processed, what choices users have, and how LG continues to strengthen privacy, transparency, and security.""
Click to expand...
They would have the blessing to do this from the government under the table in a quid pro quo arrangement allowing them access to backdoors they've left for the 3 letter agencies to use, which is why with total confidence they BS about it's use. And the government would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to have these backdoors closed legally.
 
We have 1 smart Tv in the house, its a 60’ hisense my wife just had to have above the fireplace.
After all this lg info came out we started watching its network activity and It tries to “call home” constantly.

Since she refuses to go back to a older non smart tv me and my buddy found the mic location and filled with superglue and put acoustic tape over that. Fished an ethernet cable to the location and setup a vlan.

HTPC for me, although i do have an older roku that doesnt have a mic.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top