LG Rejects Allegations of Secret Audio Surveillance on Smart TVs

LG issued a public statement clarifying that its smart TVs do not continuously capture or transmit private household dialogues. According to the company, speech-to-text processing initiates strictly upon manual activation via the remote control or a specific voice-command wake word. LG maintains that any audio processed for wake-word detection is handled locally on the device and is neither stored nor uploaded unless a valid command is registered.

The manufacturer further emphasized that controversial data-gathering tools, such as Automatic Content Recognition—which tracks viewing habits to curate personalized recommendations—remain strictly optional for users. Despite these assurances, the technical nuance of the company's language has failed to quell all skepticism. Critics point to the specific phrasing of LG's denial, questioning whether the exclusion of the word "continuously" leaves room for sporadic or background data collection. This controversy highlights the persistent friction between integrated smart features and the fundamental expectations of consumer privacy.