Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether certain LG smart TVs may collect microphone audio, identify devices connected to a consumer’s home network, and transmit information to LG without consumers adequately understanding the extent of that data collection.
A September 2026 investigation by Gamers Nexus, conducted with Level1Techs and independent security researchers, examined retail LG smart TVs including the LG OLED G5. The investigation reportedly found that the televisions scanned local networks for nearby devices and could capture microphone audio while the television screen appeared to be off.
The materials provided for this investigation similarly report that LG televisions were observed mapping phones and other nearby devices and capturing microphone audio with the screen off, with data later transmitted after the television reconnected to the internet.
Researchers reportedly observed the TVs identifying devices such as phones, computers, printers, smart-home equipment, and other hardware on the local network. They also reported collection of information concerning nearby Wi-Fi networks.
The investigation raises separate concerns about the television’s microphones. Researchers reportedly captured clean microphone audio while an LG television appeared to be in standby. According to the testing, audio could continue to be stored locally while the television was disconnected from the internet and later retrieved or transmitted when network access was restored.
Migliaccio & Rathod is investigating whether LG owners were adequately informed about these practices, whether their privacy settings operated as consumers reasonably expected, and whether LG smart TVs collected information beyond what consumers reasonably understood when enabling voice-control or smart-TV functionality.
Consumers May Have Experienced:
- Owning an internet-connected LG OLED or other LG webOS smart TV;
- Enabling voice-control or hands-free voice features;
- Believing the television’s microphone would not capture audio while the screen was off;
- Turning off or limiting certain privacy or tracking settings while the television remained connected to the internet;
- Having phones, computers, smartwatches, printers, or other devices connected to the same home network as the television;
- Receiving repeated requests to enable smart-TV, voice, ACR, or internet-connected features; or
- Being unaware that the television could identify other devices on the local network.
LG owners have already publicly expressed uncertainty about whether disabling microphone or monitoring features actually prevents further audio collection. For example, one owner of an LG OLED55C4PUA stated that they had used the television’s physical switch to turn off audio monitoring but remained concerned that other microphones might still operate.
Potential Claims May Include:
- Unauthorized or inadequately disclosed collection of audio;
- Invasion of privacy;
- Unauthorized collection or use of device and network information;
- Violations of applicable state wiretapping or eavesdropping laws;
- Violations of state consumer-protection and privacy laws;
- False or misleading representations concerning privacy controls; and
- Unjust enrichment.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You own or previously owned an LG smart TV using webOS;
- Your LG television includes built-in microphones or hands-free voice control;
- You enabled voice features but did not understand that audio could be captured while the screen appeared off;
- You disabled a microphone, voice, ACR, or privacy setting but were unsure whether collection actually stopped;
- Your television was connected to the same network as phones, computers, smart-home devices, or other private equipment; or
- Privacy features or data-collection practices influenced your decision to purchase or continue using the television.
If you own an LG smart TV and are concerned about its collection of audio, viewing information, or information about devices on your home network, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call.