LG smart TVs caught logging audio with screen off and snooping on local devices (notebookcheck.net)

Article summary

LG smart TVs have been found to log audio and snoop on local devices even when the screen is off, with the data being fed into LG's targeted advertising arm. The TVs also run Automated Content Recognition, sampling on-screen audio and video to log what users watch. Researchers discovered remote code execution vulnerabilities in webOS and recommend disconnecting LG sets from the internet and using external streaming devices instead. LG has not commented on the issue.

Main themes

• Smart TV data collection
• Consumer privacy
• Corporate accountability
• Regulatory enforcement
• IoT security risks
• National security concerns

What commenters say

• Corporations are prioritizing profits over consumer privacy and security, and will continue to do so unless held accountable by legislation or other means.
• The collection of user data by smart TVs poses a significant risk to individuals, particularly if the data is stored insecurely or used for malicious purposes.
• Governments and regulatory bodies are not doing enough to protect consumer privacy and hold companies accountable for their data collection practices.
• Some argue that the EU's GDPR regulations are a step in the right direction, but others believe that the EU is not doing enough to enforce these regulations and protect consumer privacy.
• The use of smart TVs and other IoT devices is a trade-off between convenience and privacy, and consumers must be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves.
• Class action lawsuits and other forms of legal action may be necessary to hold companies accountable for their data collection practices and protect consumer privacy.
• The issue of smart TV data collection is not just a matter of consumer privacy, but also a national security concern, as the data collected by these devices could be used by governments or other malicious actors.