An investigation has found that LG-branded smart TVs continue to\nmonitor home networks and record room audio, even when in standby mode\nor disconnected from the internet.<\/p>\n
The investigation was conducted by the technology channel Gamers\nNexus, alongside a team of independent security researchers, over a\nperiod of more as than 500 hours. The results were startling.\nTelevisions that appeared to be turned off were actually scanning all\ndevices connected to the home Wi-Fi network, noting every smartphone,\ncomputer, and other smart objects within the house. Furthermore, the\ntelevision microphones remained active and continued to record the\nconversations of residents.<\/p>\n
Researchers discovered that even when the volume button was muted via\nsettings, hidden microphones continued to record. Even after the\ninternet cable was unplugged, the television continued to store voice\nrecordings and immediately transmitted them back to LG servers as soon\nas the cable was reconnected. The captured audio was clear from a\ndistance of approximately 18 metres and could still be recorded through\nbrick walls.<\/p>\n
Voice commands were converted into plain text and stored in the\ntelevision\u2019s logs. The microphones remained active for 10 to 15 seconds\nafter a user finished speaking, thereby recording any subsequent\nconversation in the room. This occurs despite LG\u2019s previous official\nstatements asserting that their devices never record or store everyday\nconversations.<\/p>\n
In May 2024, LG signed an agreement with the Government of the State\nof Texas, USA, promising not to collect viewer data without explicit\npermission. However, this investigation proves that four months after\nthat commitment was made, data collection practices were still\nongoing.<\/p>\n
It appears this data collection is not merely for television service\npurposes. Through its subsidiaries, LG attempts to match the viewing\nhabits of television owners with smartphones and other devices in the\nhome, subsequently selling this information to advertisers. LG\u2019s own\nadvertising officials have openly stated that the company \u201cowns the\ntelevision screen,\u201d implying that whatever appears on the screen is\ntheirs to study.<\/p>\n
In addition to eavesdropping, researchers also discovered unpatched\nsecurity vulnerabilities. These loopholes could be exploited by third\nparties to take remote control of the television without the owner\u2019s\nknowledge. More alarmingly, approximately 42 per cent of the\napplications available in the LG TV app store were found to contain\nsecret code capable of rerouting the owner\u2019s home internet traffic\nelsewhere, making it appear as though the connection belongs to the\ntelevision owner.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lg-tvs-found-eavesdropping-on-owners-even-when-switched-off-1788875766", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }