Samsung faces fresh privacy worries after a security researcher said they found software on the brand's smart TVs capable of recognizing noises such as dogs barking and babies crying.
The investigator, who goes by log4j on X, also reported finding functions that can spot microphones attached via soundbars or other nearby devices.
These observations do not prove that Samsung secretly records private talks or accesses external microphones without consent.
Samsung replied that its Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) feature is optional and can be switched off at any time.
What the Researcher Discovered
The probe began when the researcher noticed ads that seemed unusually tailored to their interests and started reviewing Samsung TV software.
During the review, they say they uncovered references linked to detecting baby cries, dog barking, camera activity, and microphones on other devices.
The report also listed counters for some sound-related events and data on how long camera streams run.
According to the researcher, certain details might be sent to Samsung's servers.
However, the publicly released findings do not clearly show which data is transmitted, how often it is gathered, or how long Samsung keeps it.
The researcher further claimed that Samsung TVs lacking built-in microphones could still recognise microphones available through connected soundbars or Bluetooth gear.
While Samsung's software can spot compatible microphones, there is no confirmed proof that TVs secretly turn those mics on to record home conversations.
Samsung Already Offers Sound Detection Features
Some of the sound-detection abilities highlighted in the probe are already part of features Samsung has marketed.
The Family Care function was built to hear sounds like babies crying and send alerts to linked smartphones.
Pet Care, similarly, can recognise dogs barking and notify owners through Samsung's device ecosystem.
Both tools rely on on-device AI to identify specific sounds and can run while compatible TVs are in standby mode.
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Samsung has reportedly decided to drop Family Care because of low usage and repeated false alerts.
One issue involved the TV mistaking crying sounds from on-screen content for a real baby crying in the room.
Although these features are not secret, the researcher's findings have prompted questions about whether Samsung also gathers data on how often certain sounds are detected.
Samsung Responds to Privacy Concerns
In a statement dated October 29, Samsung addressed worries about Automatic Content Recognition, a technology that identifies what is being watched on a smart TV.
The company said ACR helps personalise viewing suggestions and, with user consent, advertising.
Samsung clarified that its smart TVs do not enable ACR by default; users must opt in and can disable it whenever they wish.
According to Samsung, turning off ACR stops viewing data from being collected or sent through the service.
The firm also affirmed that it takes user privacy seriously and protects personal information with appropriate safeguards.
However, the statement focuses on ACR and does not fully address the researcher's separate claims about sound-detection data or external microphone use.
Are Samsung TVs Secretly Recording Users?
There is not enough evidence at present to conclude that Samsung smart TVs covertly record household conversations.
Being able to identify an available microphone does not automatically mean the TV activates it without permission.
This capability can also support legitimate uses such as voice control, video calling, and karaoke.
Likewise, detecting certain household sounds does not necessarily mean recordings of those sounds are stored or transmitted.
Questions remain about what information Samsung collects from its sound-detection features and whether users are adequately informed about that collection.
The researcher indicated that further findings about Samsung's software and its monitoring of app activity may be released.
For now, the investigation raises concerns about data collection and transparency, but it does not prove that Samsung televisions are secretly spying on users.
