A recent investigation by the YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, highlighted by ZDNET, has drawn attention to the scale of data collection by LG smart TVs. According to the report, LG's terms of service allow the company to collect and transmit data including search terms, audio recordings, payment information, and screenshots to Alfonso, Inc., also known as LG AdSolutions.
The business scale is significant: LG AdSolutions states that 49 million LG smart TVs are active in the US and 216 million worldwide. This data supports a rotating set of targeted ads and media recommendations. The report also describes how the TV can use home Wi-Fi networks to determine location with accuracy to within 10 meters, and that data packets can be sent to servers as often as every three seconds.
The report notes that while some data logs are cleared on power-down, others—such as usernames, email addresses, passwords, and payment information—can persist indefinitely and survive app removal, firmware updates, and power interruptions. A full factory reset is the only way to permanently remove them. The article also suggests toggling off automatic content recognition and HDMI CEC tracking after a reset, and mentions third-party data removal services and VPNs as additional options.