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LG smart TVs are under scrutiny after researchers found that certain models scan devices on a home network and record audio through the microphone while the TV is in standby. The findings came from tech YouTuber Gamers Nexus, which worked with Level1Techs and other independent security researchers.
Their tests covered retail LG OLED sets, including the G5 model. The team found the TVs kept scanning connected devices and picking up audio even after the screen switched off, raising fresh questions about how extensively these LG smart devices track users in the background.
Gamers Nexus host Steve Burke said the TVs actively scanned for other devices on the home network, including phones, smartwatches, computers, and printers. The devices also picked up internal IP addresses and details about nearby Wi-Fi networks, such as names and signal strength.
The most alarming part came from the microphone tests. Researchers said the TVs captured clear audio even after the display appeared to switch off. When the team disconnected a TV from the internet, the device kept storing recordings locally, and once the connection came back, those recordings were uploaded to LG's servers.
LG lets users turn off voice recognition, but the investigation found no hardware option to physically disable the microphone. The team also flagged remote code execution flaws in LG's webOS, which they reported to LG through responsible disclosure.
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LG has not issued an official response yet. Until then, users can install firmware updates regularly, check privacy settings under the Settings or Privacy and Terms menu, and read agreements before accepting them. Keeping TVs on a separate guest network, disabling UPnP on the router, and avoiding direct internet exposure for TV services can also lower the risk.
