Your smart TV might know more about what's happening in your living room than you realize.
A cybersecurity researcher is raising privacy concerns about Samsung Smart TVs, claiming some models may be capable of detecting sounds in your home and potentially accessing microphones on connected devices.
According to reports from Malwarebytes and Android Authority, a researcher known online as "log4j" began investigating a 2025 Samsung television after noticing advertisements that seemed unusually specific.
The researcher claims to have discovered software capable of identifying sounds like dogs barking and babies crying, tracking viewing habits, and collecting information about the content being watched.
Here's where things get interesting: The researcher also alleges that Samsung TVs without built-in microphones may be able to access microphones on connected devices, including soundbars and Bluetooth accessories.
However, these allegations have not been independently verified, and the discovery of software capable of detecting microphones doesn't necessarily mean televisions are secretly recording conversations.
Samsung already offers features called Pet Care and Family Care on certain AI-enabled televisions. These features can detect sounds like barking dogs or crying babies and send notifications to users.
Samsung also uses technology called Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), which can collect information about what you're watching to provide personalized services and advertising.
The company says ACR is optional, requires user consent, and can be disabled through the television's privacy settings. Samsung also maintains that it does not record or watch the content displayed on users' televisions.
Want to check your TV's privacy settings?
Samsung owners can open their television's Settings menu and look for privacy options, including Viewing Information Services and Voice Recognition. The exact settings may vary depending on the model.
For now, there's no confirmed evidence that Samsung TVs are secretly recording private conversations for advertising purposes, but the allegations are renewing questions about just how much information our connected devices collect.
And if you've ever talked about something in your living room only to see an oddly specific advertisement later, you probably understand why people are paying attention.
