LG TVs and monitors said to surveil users and install bloatware without asking
LG smart TVs and monitors are facing scrutiny for privacy practices, including recording user conversations and automatically installing software like McAfee without explicit user consent. Users are advised that terms of service require them to inform guests of potential surveillance.
Why it matters
This raises significant concerns regarding consumer privacy, data security, and the ethics of 'bloatware' and surveillance in consumer electronics.
ⓘ LG Select LG monitors automatically install McAfee bloatware on the user's PC. Anyone who owns an LG smart TV must inform all guests and family members that they are being monitored – this is required by LG’s current terms of use. Meanwhile, LG monitors install potential malware and surveillance software on a connected Windows computer. Hannes Brecher ( translated by Hannes Brecher), Published 07/17/2026 🇩🇪 Security Monitor 4 Reviews exclude selected types exclude selected tags LG Smart TV users have been voicing concerns regarding the lack of privacy protection for years, because in order to use many features of an LG Smart TV, users must inevitably agree to grant LG access to certain data. The current Terms of Service further exacerbate this situation dramatically, as LG reserves the right to record and analyze conversations in order to "improve" AI services.
The article reports on technical findings and user concerns regarding corporate privacy policies.
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