Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 hr ago
Researcher claims Samsung TVs collect audio and viewing data for ads
A cybersecurity researcher says Samsung TVs collect audio and viewing data, including from connected devices with microphones.
The researcher, who posts as @log4j, says the findings came from examining their own Samsung smart TV.
The TV reportedly logged sounds such as dog barking and baby crying, which Samsung says its 2025 Vision AI TVs can detect for alerts through the SmartThings app.
The researcher says this sound data may also be sent to Samsung, and that the TV tracks actions inside apps, including which YouTube ads users skip.
The data could help build profiles for targeted advertising, raising questions about what users have agreed to share.
The researcher also says data sharing continued despite opting out, but Samsung had not responded to the claims in the coverage.
Mashable said it had contacted Samsung and would update its story if it received a response.
Cybersecurity researcher @log4j says a Samsung smart TV investigation found audio and viewing data collection that could be used for advertising.
The researcher says TVs without built-in microphones can scan for connected devices with microphones and use their audio data.
The reported audio events included dog barking and baby crying, while app monitoring reportedly included YouTube activity and skipped ads.
The researcher also claims the TV contacted advertising networks despite data-sharing opt-outs.
Samsung had not responded to Mashable’s request for comment when its article was published.
- Who
- Cybersecurity researcher @log4j made the claims. Samsung is the company whose TVs were examined.
- What
- The researcher says Samsung TVs collect audio and app-use data, including information that may be used for targeted advertising.
- When
- The findings were shared on X during the week of October 26, 2026.
- Where
- The investigation concerned Samsung smart TVs; the researcher shared findings on X.
- Why
- The researcher began investigating after receiving what they described as oddly specific advertisements.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
@log4j says they began looking into their TV after receiving oddly specific advertisements.
Mashable published an account of the researcher’s findings shared on X.
The Daily Mail published further claims from the researcher about audio monitoring and data sharing.
- Researcher
- @log4j
- TV examined
- Researcher said they gained administrator root access to their own 2025 Samsung smart TV.
- Reported sound events
- Dog barking and baby crying
- Reported app tracking
- YouTube activity, including ads a user skips
- Third-party partners
- Daily Mail reports the researcher said Samsung shared data with “400 plus” partners.
3 sources
What people are saying
This is pretty evil and clever
An ARP probe lists out all devices on your network, so from an advertiser's point of view this effectively paints a nice picture of what's mainstay in your home, when you might have guests over and what devices they use, etc.
Posts on X
this is pretty evil and clever. so if your samsung TV model doesnt have a microphone, it will look for connected devices with one, such as a soundbar or a connected bluetooth device. this gets shipped off to bixby.
i own a relatively new (2025) samsung tv. i kept getting weirdly targeted ads. i tried reversing the firmware but it was aes encrypted and no keys unless tear it apart and do uart/jtag magic. zero days it is. root shell on new samsung TVs! discovered PRIVACY HORROR. write up?