LG Clarifies Audio Processing: No Ambient Conversation Collection

LG has responded to what it describes as “incorrect claims” raised by the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus regarding how its televisions handle audio data. The company emphasized that its devices neither collect nor record ambient conversations surrounding users—except in two specific, user-initiated scenarios tied to voice command functionality.

How LG TVs Process Audio

According to LG, audio processing on its televisions occurs exclusively in two circumstances: first, when a user holds down the voice button on the remote control; and second, when the device detects the wake word “Hi LG”, but only after the user has manually enabled the Far-Field Voice Recognition feature. The company clarified that audio is processed locally on the device solely to identify the wake word. If the wake word is not recognized, no audio data is transmitted to any server—and the data is deleted immediately.

Privacy Assurance on Ambient Listening

LG affirmed that outside those two defined activation methods, its televisions do not gather or store ambient conversations. This statement forms part of the company’s effort to clarify how voice-related features operate and to address user concerns about data privacy.

Network Device Discovery Functionality

The company also noted that LG televisions include a network device discovery capability—allowing them to detect and connect with other devices on the same local network. LG characterized this function as standard across smart televisions and connected home devices.

ACR Feature and User Consent

Regarding Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), LG explained that the feature is optional and designed to deliver more personalized content recommendations, services, and advertisements. The company stressed that ACR data is not used for advertising purposes unless the user explicitly consents to the optional agreement associated with the feature.