Report Alleges LG TVs Record Audio and Track Viewing Even When Off; Verge Says Practice Is Industry-Wide

A more than two-hour video published by the technology outlet Gamers Nexus has ignited controversy over smart TV privacy practices, according to a report from The Verge. The video alleges that LG televisions can record and store audio even when the devices appear to be turned off, and that the sets track viewing activity in detail.

According to The Verge's summary of the claims, Gamers Nexus also asserted that LG TVs could potentially be hacked remotely and repurposed into covert surveillance devices, raising concerns among viewers about the extent of data collection built into modern televisions.

The Verge, however, contends that the issue is not limited to LG. The outlet states that data-gathering features of the kind described in the Gamers Nexus video are common across the smart TV industry, suggesting that similar tracking and audio-capture capabilities may exist in televisions made by other manufacturers as well.

The claims have not been independently verified in the material reviewed for this report, and neither LG nor other television manufacturers were quoted directly in the available excerpt responding to the specific allegations. The broader implications of the report, including any responses from device makers or regulators, remain to be clarified as coverage of the controversy continues.