LG TVs May Scan Home Networks for Data

Recent technical investigations suggest that certain LG smart TVs running webOS may be scanning local Wi-Fi networks to identify other connected devices. According to reports from Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs, the televisions can detect smartphones and smartwatches on the same household network. This capability allows the TV to build a broader profile of the devices present in a home, which could potentially be used for targeted advertising or data collection beyond just tracking what is being watched on the screen.

LG has pushed back against the characterization of this activity as intrusive spying. In a statement to Tom’s Guide, the company explained that scanning for nearby devices on the same network is a standard function found in many smart TVs and smart home devices. They argue that these features operate on an opt-in basis and that user consent is required for data to be used for advertising purposes. However, because these settings are often buried in complex menus and enabled by default, many users may not realize their TV is actively monitoring their local network environment.

How background tracking works

Modern smart TVs utilize several overlapping services to gather data. Beyond local network scanning, features like Automatic Content Recognition analyze on-screen pixels and audio cues to identify shows, movies, and ads. This works even when content is played from external sources like cable boxes or gaming consoles. Additionally, voice recognition services may keep microphones active in standby mode, logging audio requests to cloud servers to improve wake-word detection and gather usage patterns.

The trade-off for these convenience features is a significant loss of privacy. While the TV provides a seamless experience with quick content suggestions and voice control, it does so by constantly monitoring the digital environment of the household. For users who value data sovereignty, the default configuration of these systems presents a clear risk. The information gathered is not just about viewing habits but extends to the presence and type of other technology in the home.

Steps to disable tracking

You can restrict these activities by adjusting specific settings in the webOS menu. To stop content analysis, navigate to Settings, then General, and select System. From there, go to Additional Settings and locate the Live Plus option, toggling it off. This prevents the TV from analyzing video frames in real-time. To limit ad tracking, return to the Additional Settings menu, open the Advertisement section, and toggle Limit AD Tracking on. You can also reset the AD ID to clear existing tracking data.

Finally, to disable voice listening, go to Settings, then General, and select AI Service. Turn off Hands-free Voice Control to stop the TV from listening for wake words in standby mode. If your model includes Always Ready mode, you can switch that off in the General settings as well. By manually unchecking optional agreements for voice information and interest-based advertising under User Agreements, you ensure that your data is not shared for cross-device targeting. These changes take only a few minutes but significantly reduce the amount of data your television collects.

Balancing convenience and privacy

The decision to disable these features involves a trade-off. Turning off local network scanning and content recognition may reduce the personalization of ads and limit the TV's ability to suggest content based on what is playing on other devices. However, for many users, the preservation of privacy outweighs the minor loss in convenience. According to the report by GN technics/smarthome (en-US), taking control of these settings is a straightforward way to secure your home network against unwanted background monitoring.