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WTF?! An investigation by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus has found that LG's smart OLED TVs track users' viewing patterns across streaming platforms, cable, and local media. The televisions also reportedly scan users' home Wi-Fi network, collect information about connected devices without permission, and transmit the data to LG Ad Solutions to push targeted advertising.
The investigators found that LG was using Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology to track not only users' viewing habits but also any content played through the TVs' HDMI, USB, RJ45, optical, RCA, and coaxial ports. However, using ACR to track content is not just a problem limited to LG but an industry-wide practice used by almost all major smart TV manufacturers globally.
The investigation, which was conducted in collaboration with fellow tech YouTubers Level1Tech and multiple independent security researchers, also found that the TVs have a major security loophole that can be used by hackers and other malicious actors to surreptitiously record audio through the built-in microphone, even when the device is switched off.
