Samsung is facing new privacy concerns after a security researcher claimed to have discovered software on its smart TVs that can detect sounds such as dogs barking and babies crying.
The researcher, who uses the name log4j on X, also identified software functions capable of detecting microphones connected through soundbars and other nearby devices.
However, the findings do not establish that Samsung secretly records private conversations or accesses external microphones without permission.
Samsung has responded to the controversy, stating that its Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) feature is optional and that users can disable it whenever they want.
What the Researcher Discovered
The researcher began examining Samsung’s TV software after noticing advertisements that appeared unusually relevant to their interests.
During the investigation, they reportedly discovered software references associated with detecting baby cries, dog barking, camera activity, and microphones connected to other devices.
The findings also included counters for certain sound-related events and information about camera streaming duration.
According to the researcher, some of these details may be reported to Samsung’s servers.
However, the publicly shared findings do not conclusively demonstrate which information is transmitted, how frequently it is collected, or how long Samsung retains it.
The researcher also claimed that Samsung TVs without built-in microphones could identify microphones available through connected soundbars or Bluetooth devices.
While Samsung’s software can detect compatible microphones, there is currently no confirmed evidence that televisions secretly activate those microphones to record household conversations.
Samsung Already Offers Sound Detection Features
Some of the sound detection capabilities identified in the investigation are part of features Samsung has publicly advertised.
Samsung’s Family Care feature was designed to detect sounds such as babies crying and send alerts to connected smartphones.
Similarly, Pet Care can identify dogs barking and notify owners through Samsung’s connected-device ecosystem.
These features use on-device AI to recognize particular sounds and can operate while compatible televisions are in standby mode.
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Samsung has reportedly decided to discontinue Family Care because of limited usage and repeated false detections.
One reported issue involved the television interpreting crying sounds from on-screen content as a baby crying in the room.
Although these features are not secret, the researcher’s findings have raised questions about whether Samsung also collects information about how often certain sounds are detected.
Samsung Responds to Privacy Concerns
In a statement issued on October 29, Samsung addressed concerns about Automatic Content Recognition, a technology that identifies content being watched on a smart TV.
The company explained that ACR helps personalize viewing recommendations and, with user consent, advertising.
Samsung said its smart TVs do not enable ACR automatically. Users must choose to activate the service and can disable it at any time.
According to the company, disabling ACR prevents viewing information from being collected or transmitted through the service.
Samsung also maintained that it takes user privacy seriously and handles personal information with appropriate safeguards.
However, the statement specifically addresses ACR and does not fully explain the researcher’s separate claims about sound-detection data or external microphone access.
Are Samsung TVs Secretly Recording Users?
There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that Samsung smart TVs secretly record household conversations.
The ability to identify an available microphone does not necessarily mean the television activates it without permission.
Such functionality can also support legitimate applications, including voice controls, video calling, and karaoke.
Similarly, detecting certain household sounds does not automatically mean that recordings of those sounds are being stored or transmitted.
However, questions remain about what information Samsung collects from its sound-detection features and whether users receive sufficient information about that collection.
The researcher has indicated that additional findings about Samsung’s software and its monitoring of app activity may be published.
For now, the investigation raises questions about data collection and transparency, but it does not establish that Samsung televisions are secretly spying on users.
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