Gamers Nexus investigation revealed LG smart TVs running web OS engage in extensive local network surveillance. Tests on retail models, including the G5, showed devices actively scan for unrelated hardware like phones and smartwatches, gathering Wi-Fi network names, signal strengths, and location data. This collected data feeds into LG Ad Solutions, which claims access to 363 million secondary addressable devices in the US.

Beyond network snooping, testing demonstrated the TVs can capture clean microphone audio with the screen off, saving recordings locally and uploading them once internet access is restored. Researchers also documented remote code execution vulnerabilities in web OS currently under responsible disclosure. Because the TV uses broad network listeners and data sweeps by default, the research team recommends disconnecting LG sets from the internet and using external streaming devices.

LG has not commented on these findings as of writing.