LG TV shown scanning LAN for third-party phones and other devices
Summary
A video from YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, with help from Level1Techs and security researchers, showed that LG smart TVs scan home networks for phones, watches, and other devices, even when the TV is off. LG says this scanning helps their TVs connect with devices and support smart features, but concerns remain about privacy and how the collected data is used.Key Facts
- LG smart TVs, including the $2,500 G5 OLED model, scan local networks for connected and nearby devices.
- The TVs can find many devices, including phones and smartwatches, even if these devices aren’t linked to the TV.
- This scanning is said by LG to support features like device connectivity, content sharing, and smart home functions.
- The video used Wireshark, a tool that captures network data, to show that LG TVs gather details such as IP addresses, nearby Wi-Fi networks, and signal strength.
- LG states this scanning is a normal function found in many smart TVs and smart home devices.
- The TV also can record sound around it when supposedly off or in standby mode, though it only listens for “wake words” if that feature is turned on.
- Audio captured while offline may be stored locally in plain text, potentially allowing it to be sent to LG once the TV reconnects to the internet.
- Experts warn that this type of device monitoring raises privacy concerns affecting not only LG TVs but other smart TVs and devices as well.
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