LG smart TVs have been found to secretly log audio and scan local network devices even when the screen appears to be turned off, according to new research. The discovery adds to a growing list of privacy concerns around connected televisions that can monitor users long after they think the set is idle.

What You Need to Know

The discovered behavior means LG smart TVs are collecting potentially sensitive audio data and network information without explicit user awareness. This practice persists in standby mode, raising questions about privacy standards in connected home devices. The findings add to a long history of smart TV surveillance concerns involving major manufacturers such as Samsung and Vizio.

How the Data Collection Works

Researchers found that LG smart TVs use built-in microphones to capture audio snippets even when the screen is off, ostensibly to respond to voice commands. In practice, the devices log these audio recordings and transmit them to remote servers. At the same time, the televisions actively scan local networks to identify connected devices, collecting data such as device names, IP addresses and network topology.

  • Audio recordings: Short clips captured by the TV’s microphone, even when the screen is off.
  • Device names: Names of smartphones, laptops and other gadgets connected to the home network.
  • IP addresses: Identifiers that can be used to track device location and behavior.
  • Network structure: Details about how devices are connected, revealing the home’s digital layout.

An Industry Pattern of Privacy Lapses

This is not the first time smart TVs have been caught collecting data without clear consent. Samsung drew scrutiny in 2015 when its smart TVs were found transmitting private conversations. Vizio settled with the Federal Trade Commission in 2017 for collecting viewing data without permission. LG’s latest issue, however, extends the concern beyond viewing habits into ambient audio and network surveillance.

These practices reflect a broader tension in the connected home market. Manufacturers push advanced voice control and smart home integration, but the data pipelines powering those features often remain opaque to consumers. The trade-off between convenience and privacy has become a central flashpoint in consumer electronics.

Why This Matters

The always-on logging in LG smart TVs erodes the assumption that a powered-off device is truly inactive. For consumers, this means private conversations and home network details may be silently transmitted to corporate servers. The economic impact could be significant: class action lawsuits and regulatory fines have followed similar privacy violations in the past.

Regulators worldwide are taking notice. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation and California’s privacy laws impose strict requirements on data collection. A finding that LG’s practices violate those rules could lead to sizable penalties and force changes across the industry. For users, the immediate takeaway is that a smart TV in an off state is not necessarily a dormant one.