LG TVs caught spying even when offline or on standby (theverge.com)

Article summary

LG smart TVs have been found to log and upload data about owners and their homes, even when offline or on standby mode. The TVs scan Wi-Fi networks for nearby devices, record audio logs through their microphones, and use audio and video sampling to recognize what's being watched. This data is fed back to LG Ad Solutions. The issue is not unique to LG, as other smart TV manufacturers also use Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology to track viewing habits.

Main themes

• Smart TV data collection
• Surveillance and privacy
• Automatic Content Recognition
• Mesh networking
• Regulation and oversight
• Corporate data exploitation

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that all smart TVs should be disconnected from the internet to prevent data collection and surveillance.
• Others suggest that smart TVs should not come with WiFi or Ethernet controllers to prevent any potential data transmission.
• There is a debate about the possibility of smart TVs creating mesh networks to connect to other devices, with some arguing it is technically possible but lacks evidence.
• Some commenters believe that companies will exploit available technologies to surveil users, citing past examples of data collection and surveillance.
• Others argue that testing for such behavior is trivial and that there is no evidence to support these claims.
• A few commenters mention that cellular modems in TVs are unlikely due to cost, but others argue that it could be feasible at scale.
• There is a concern that even if companies are not currently using such technologies, they may do so in the future, and that regulation is needed to prevent it.