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⚠️LG TVs Collect Data on Unpaired Devices, Even Offline

Your LG TV is listening and watching even when you're not

TL;DR

LG's smart TVs collect data on unpaired devices and audio even when offline, raising privacy concerns. The TVs capture IP addresses, location data, and audio, storing it locally until connectivity is restored. LG's ACR technology is used in 27 countries, with insights used for advertising.

LG's smart TVs are collecting data on unpaired devices and capturing audio even when voice recognition is not active or the TV is in standby mode. This includes IP addresses, location data, and the names, signal strengths, and channel numbers of nearby Wi-Fi networks. The TVs can process voice data only when activated but continue capturing audio offline, storing it locally until connectivity is restored. LG's ACR technology, deployed in sets sold across 27 countries, uses the collected data for advertising purposes, measuring campaign effectiveness and tracking app or service registrations. The implications are significant for users in boardrooms and doctors' offices, where privacy is paramount. LG's TVs can trigger the installation of the LG Monitor App through Windows' device metadata system, which displays pop-up promotions for McAfee.

LG TVs Collect Data on Unpaired Devices, Even Offline — theregister

Key Points

1

LG's smart TVs collect IP addresses, location data, and Wi-Fi network details of unpaired devices.

2

LG's TVs capture audio even when voice recognition is not active, storing it locally until connectivity is restored.

3

LG's ACR technology is deployed in sets sold across 27 countries, with insights used for advertising.

4

LG's TVs can trigger the installation of the LG Monitor App through Windows' device metadata system.

5

The LG Monitor App Installer displays pop-up promotions for McAfee, limiting its utility.

Why It Matters

If you're using an LG smart TV, your privacy could be at risk. The TVs collect data on unpaired devices and audio, even when offline. This affects users in boardrooms and doctors' offices, where privacy is critical. The collected data is used for advertising, raising concerns about how your information is being used.

LGsmart TVsprivacy concernsACR technologyadvertising

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

If you're using an LG smart TV, your privacy could be at risk. The TVs collect data on unpaired devices and audio, even when offline. This affects users in boardrooms and doctors' offices, where privacy is critical. The collected data is used for advertising, raising concerns about how your information is being used.

What happened?

LG's smart TVs collect data on unpaired devices and audio even when offline, raising privacy concerns. The TVs capture IP addresses, location data, and audio, storing it locally until connectivity is restored. LG's ACR technology is used in 27 countries, with insights used for advertising.

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