LG Smart TVs are collecting user data even when in standby mode or without internet connection, according to an investigation into the company's OLED models. The televisions scan nearby Wi-Fi networks for connected devices like smartphones and smartwatches, record location information, capture audio through built-in microphones, and identify what's being displayed—including content from devices connected via HDMI.
The discovery raises significant privacy concerns about what these devices are monitoring and where that data goes. LG has not yet provided an explanation for the data collection behaviors identified by researchers. The investigation, reported by The Verge, highlights the often-hidden surveillance capabilities embedded in modern connected televisions.